JVo  ...... 

Division 
Range 

Shelf  ......... 


LIBRARY 
G 


MANUAL 


VERTEBRATES 


NORTHERN  UNITED  STATES, 


INCLUDING 


THE   DISTRICT  EAST  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  RIVER,  AND  NORTH  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA  AND  TENNESSEE,  EXCLUSIVE 

OF   MARINE   SPECIES. 


DAVID  STARR  JORDAN,  PH.D.,  M.D. 

PROFESSOR     OF     NATURAL     HISTORY    IN     BUTLER     UNIVERSITY. 


l'l  tt  1<  .\ , 

SECOND    EDITION,    REVISED    AND    ENLARGED. 


CHICAGO: 

JANSEN,   McCLURG   &    COMPANY. 

1878. 


COPYRIGHT, 

JANSEN,  McCLURG  &  COMPANY. 
A.  D.  1876, 

t^O  6J5 

COPYRIGHT, 

JANSEN,  McCLURG  &  COMPANY. 
A.  D.  1878. 


DONNELLEY,  LOYD  <fe  CO.,  CHICAGO. 


PEEFAOE. 


This  book  has  been  written  to  give  collectors  and  students 
who  are  not  specialists,  a  ready  means  of  identifying  the  families, 
genera  and  species  of  our  Vertebrate  Animals.  In  deference  to 
the  uniform  experience  of  botanists,  and  in  view  of  the  remarkable 
success  achieved  by  Dr.  COUES,  in  the  application  of  the  method  to 
Ornithology,  the  author  has  adopted  the  system  of  artificial  keys. 

To  keep  the  book  of  a  size  convenient  for  field  use,  class  and 
ordinal  characters  have  been  abbreviated,  since  they  do  not  lie 
directly  within  the  purpose  of  the  work ;  generic  characters  have 
been  confined  to  the  "  key,"  under  the  head  of  each  family, 
while  for  specific  characters,  only  such  points  have  been  gen- 
erally retained,  as  are  distinctive  as  well  as  descriptive.  The 
same  necessity  has  led  to  the  suppression  of  many  of  the  doubt- 
ful or  nominal  "species,"  which  still  encumber  our  systematic 
works,  and  to  the  omission  of  synonymy  and  references  to  auth- 
orities, excepting  in  cases  of  recent  or  original  changes  of 
nomenclature. 

Use  has  been  freely  made  of  every  available  source  of  infor- 
mation, and  it  is  believed  that  the  present  state  of  our  knowl- 
edge is  fairly  represented. 

The  account  of  the  Mammals  has  been  chiefly  compiled  from 
PROF.  BAIRD'S  "  Mammals  of  North  America,"  in  the  light  of 
the  recent  revisions  by  Mr.  J.  A.  ALLEN,  Dr.  COUES,  and  Prof. 
GILL.  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  B.  H.  VAN  VLECK,  of  Cambridge, 
Mass,  for  the  revision  of  the  proof-sheets  of  the  Mammals  and 
the  Turtles. 

I  wish  further  to  express  my  deep  obligation  to  Dr.  ELLIOTT 
COUES,  having  by  his  advice  and  consent,  made  free  use  of  all 
his  published  writings.  These  have  been  drawn  upon  especi- 
ally in  the  preparation  of  the  keys  to  the  Warblers,  the  Hawks, 
and  other  difficult  groups,  in  the  descriptions  of  the  Water 

3 


4  PREFACE. 

Birds,  and  in  the  preliminary  key  to  the  ordeis  of  Birds.  Dr. 
COUES  has  also  kindly  placed  at  my  disposal  the  advance -sheets 
of  his  yet  unpublished  monograph  of  American  Bats. 

I  am  also  under  obligations  to  Messrs.  BAIRD  and  RIDGWAY, 
whose  writings  have  been  to  me  of  essential  service;  to  Prof. 
COPE,  whose  numerous  papers  have  been  of  great  value  in  the 
systematic  arrangement  of  the  Fishes,  and  whose  check  list  of 
the  Reptiles  and  Batrachians  has  been  closely  followed  in  the 
classification  of  those  groups ;  to  Prof.  GILL,  whose  arrangement 
of  the  families  of  Fishes  has  been,  with  few  modifications, 
adopted  in  the  present  work;  to  Dr.  GUNTIIER,  whose  Catalogue 
of  Fishes  is  the  vade-mecum  of  the  working  ichthyologist;  to 
Prof.  RICHARD  BLISS,  Jr.,  who  has  generously  aided  me  in  the 
indentification  of  the  Centrarchidae,  in  advance  of  the  publication  of 
his  monograph  of  that  most  difficult  group ;  to  Mr.  E.  W.  NELSON, 
of  Chicago,  who  has  kindly  furnished  me  with  a  yet  unpub- 
lished list  of  the  Birds  and  Reptiles  of  Illinois;  to  Prof.  F.  W. 
PUTNAM,  Dr.  B.  G.  WILDER,  and  Dr.  C.  C.  ABBOTT,  for  the  loan 
of  books  and  other  aids ;  to  Prof.  H.  E.  COPELAND,  for  help  of 
various  kinds,  particularly  in  the  verification  of  descriptions, 
and  to  the  many  collectors  and  compilers  of  local  lists,  who 
have  freely  placed  their  material  at  my  disposal. 

D.  S.  J. 

INDIANAPOLIS,  IND.,  May,  1876. 

PREFATORY  NOTE  TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. 

In  the  present  edition  the  accounts  of  the  Mammals,  Birds  and 
Reptiles  remain,  except  for  a  few  verbal  changes,  the  same  as  in 
the  original  edition.  A  few  species  recently  added  to  our  Fauna 
are  noticed  in  an  Addenda. 

It  has  been  found  necessary  to  entirely  recast  the  account  of  the 
Fishes,  in  order  to  include  the  results  of  recent  investigations  in 
that  department.  The  author  has  availed  himself  of  this  oppor- 
tunity to  substitute  for  the  artificial  keys  in  the  previous  edition,  a 
series  of  generic  diagnoses,  which,  while  serving  the  purpose  of  a 
"key,"  also  serve  to  express  the  true  relations  of  the  species. 

D.  S.  J. 

INDIANAPOLIS,  IND,  MAT,  1878. 


SIGNS,  ABBREVIATIONS,  ETC.,  EXPLAINED. 


I.  -  MA  \T\fATjS. 

i.=  Incisor  teeth. 
c.=  Canines. 


m.=  Molars. 

Thus  "  i.  f  if  "  indicates  two  incisor  teeth  on  each  side  in  the 
upper  jaw,  and  one  on  each  side  in  the  lower. 

u  Toes  5-4  "  implies  fore  feet  five-toed,  hind  feet  four-toed. 

Other  signs  are  as  used  in  Birds. 

II.—  BIRDS. 

L.=  Length  in  inches  (along  back  from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of 
longest  tail  feather)  ;  thus,  "L.  7i  "  means,  length  7i  inches. 

l?.=Extent  (spread  of  wing)  measured  in  inches. 

W.=  Length  of  wing  (from  bend  of  closed  wing—  carpal  joint- 

to  tip  of  longest  feather)  in  inches. 
Z7.—  Length  of  tail  in  inches  (i.e.,  actual  length  of  the  longest  tail 

feather.) 
B.  =  Length  of  bill  in  inches  (measured  along  culinen  from  tip  to 

frontal  feathers.) 
Hd.=Leugih  of  head   in  inches  (measured  with  dividers  from 

base  of  bill  to  nape.) 

Ts.=Length  of  tarsus  in  inches  (measured  in  front.) 
TcL=  Length  of  middle  toe  with  its  claw. 

The  measurements  given  in  the  descriptions  are  understood  to 
represent  a  fair  average  adult  male;  a  variation  of  one-sixth,  or 
more,  in  absolute  length  is  nothing  unusual  ;  relative  lengths,  as  of 
wings  and  tail,  are  much  more  constant.  To  save  space  I  have 
preferred  to  say  "  L.  6,"  to  saying  "  L.  5-J-  to  6i." 
*=Male. 

9=  Female. 

5 


6  SIGNS,  ABBBEVIATIONS,   ETC. 

>  r=More  than,  longer  than,  or  more  than  equivalent  to. 
<=Less  than,  in  its  various  senses. 
=  =Sign  of  equivalence. 

The  toes  are  numbered  1,  2,  3,  4 ;  1  being  the  hind  toe,  or 
hallux;  2  the  inner  anterior  toe;  3  the  middle  toe;  and  4  the 
outer  toe. 

III.— REPTILES. 

Z.=Length  in  inches. 

Sc.  or  Scale8=Number  of  longitudinal  rows  of  scales  exclusive 

of  the  ventral  series. 
G.= Number  of  ventral  plates,  or  gastrosteges,  counted  along  the 

belly,  from  the  throat  to  the  vent.    The  figures  given  in  the 

descriptions  are  intended  to  be  average,  the  actual  number 

being  quite  variable. 
U.= Number  of  pairs  of  sub-caudal  plates,  or  urosteges,  counted 

from  the  vent  to  the  tip  of  the  tail. 

IV.— FISHES. 
jD.rzDorsal  fin. 
2d  D.= Second  dorsal  fin. 
P. = Pectoral  fins. 
V.— Ventral  fins. 
A = Anal  fin. 
G. = Caudal  fin. 
B. = Branchiostegals. 

Roman  numerals  used  with  the  above  abbreviations  indicate 
the  number  of  spines  or  inarticulate  rays  in  a  fin.  Arabic  numer- 
als indicate  the  number  of  soft  rays.  In  a  fin  containing  both 
spines  and  soft  rays,  a  comma  ( , )  separating  the  numerals  indicates 
that  the  two  kinds  of  rays  are  continuous,  or  more  or  less 
connected.  A  dash  (— )  indicates  their  separation.  Thus,  "  D,  X, 
12,"  describes  a  single  dorsal  fin  with  10  spines  and  12  soft  rays ; 
"D,  X  — 12,"  indicates  two  dorsal  fins— the  first  of  10  spines,  the 
second  of  12  soft  rays;  "D,  X  — I,  12,"  would  indicate  the 
presence  of  a  single  spine  in  the  second  dorsal. 

The  posterior  soft  ray  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins  is  usually 
split  to  the  base.  It  should  be  counted  as  one  ray  and  not  as  two. 


SIGNS,   ABBREVIATIONS,   ETC.  7 

Lot.  £.=Lateral  line,  i.e.,  the  number  of  scales  contained  in  its 
course.    When  the  lateral  line  is  obsolete,  "  lat.  1."  signifies 
the  number  of  scales  in  a  row  from  the  head  to  the  base  of 
the  caudal  fin.    Thus,  "lat.  1.  36"  means  that  there  are  36 
scales  in  a  row  along  the  sides  from  the  head  to  the  caudal. 
In  all  cases  the  number  of  rays  or  scales,  as  given  in  the 
descriptions,  is  intended  to  represent  a  fair  average,  and  a  vari- 
ation of  one-sixth,  or  even  more,  in  either  direction  need  not 
surprise  the  student.     Generally  the  spines  and  scales  are  more 
constant  in  their  numbers  than  the  soft  rays,  and  the  fewer  of 
either,  the  less  variable. 

Depth  in  length=Tl\e  greatest  depth  of  the  body  as  contained  in 

the  distance  along  the  side  from  the  snout  to  the  base  of  the 

caudal. 
Head  in  length=The  distance  from  the  snout  along  the  cheeks  to 

the  extremity  of  the  opercle,  as  contained  in  the  distance 

from  the  snout  to  the  base  of  the  caudal. 
Eye  in  head=Its  longitudinal  diameter  as  contained  in  the  length 

of  the  side  of  the  head. 

As  above  stated,  these  measurements,  as  given  in  the  descrip- 
tions, are  intended  to  be  the  average  of  living  adults,  and  must  be 
applied  to  young  specimens  or  preserved  ones  with  caution. 

Young  fishes  are  always  much  more  elongated  than  adults,  and 
the  eye  is  proportionally  much  larger. 

A  fin  is  said  to  be  "  long  "  when  it  has  a  long  base,  or  is  many- 
rayed.  A  ?high"  fin  is  one  in  which  the  individual  rays  are 
elongated. 


PRINCIPAL  ABBREVIATIONS  OF  NAMES  OF  AUTHORS 
CITED  IN  THIS  VOLUME. 


Allen=J.  A.  Allen. 
Auct.=A.uctornm  (of  Authors.) 


And.    &   Bach.  =  Audubon    & 

Bachman. 
£&=Baird. 

B.  &  G  —  Baircl  &  Girard. 
Bartr.  —  Bartram. 
Beauv.=P>dYiso{1  de  Beauvais. 
Bl.  &  Schn.  —  Bloch  &  Schneider. 


Bon.,  or  Bp.=C.  L.  Bonaparte. 

.Z?ra;.:=Brevoort. 

Briinn.  =  Brlinnich. 


Cass.=C-ass'm. 
(700p.=  Cooper. 

Cuv.=Cuvier. 

G.  &  F.=Cuvier    and  Valen- 

ciennes. 
Daud.=Da\idm. 


Desm.  =  Desniarest. 


Grd.=  Girard. 
Gm.,  or  Gmel.=Gmelm. 
Gray  (Birds)=G.  R.  Gi'ay. 
Gray  (M 


Raid.  =  Halcleman. 


Lafr.  —  Lafresnaye. 
Lath.=  Latham. 
Latr.  =Latreille. 
Lawr.  =  Lawrence. 


Licht.  —  Lichtenstein. 
L.=  Linna3us. 


.Raf.  =  Rafinesque. 
Reich.  =  Reichenbach. 
Rich.  •=  Richardson. 
Ridg.  =  Ridgway. 


H.  8mith=  Hamilton  Smith. 

8teph.=  Stephens. 


StricJd.=  Strickland. 
Sund.  =  Sundevall. 
Sw.  =  Swainson; 
Temm.  —  Temminck. 
Towns.  =  Townsend. 
Veil.  =  Valenciennes. 
Vieill.,  or  F.^Vieillot. 
Vig.=  Vigors. 
Wagl.=Wsigler. 


Wils.=  Wilson. 


***  Names  of  Authors  not  in  the  above  list  are  usually 
written  in  full. 


M  15  II  A  »;  i 

I    N  J  V  KICS  ITV    <>r 

[CALIF*  )(.;.-,!  x. 

VERTEBRATE  ANIMALS 


OF  THE 


UNITED    STATES. 


VERTEBRA  TA. 

(The  Vertebrates.) 

The  Vertebrates  are,  in  popular  language,  "animals 
with  a  back-bone."  They  are  distinguished  from  all 
other  animals,-says  Prof.  Huxley,  "  by  the  circumstance 
that  a  transverse  and  vertical  section  of  the  body 
exhibits  two  cavities,  completely  separated  from  one 
another  by  a  partition.  The  dorsal  cavity  contains  the 
cerebro-spinal  nervous  system;  the  ventral,  the  alimen- 
tary canal,  the  heart,  and,  usually,  a  double  chain  of 
ganglia,  which  passes  under  the  name  of  the  'sympa- 
thetic.' A  vertebrated  animal  may  be  devoid  of 
articulated  limbs,  and  it  never  possesses  more  than  two 
pairs.  These  are  always  provided  with  an  internal 
skeleton,  to  which  the  muscles  moving  the  limbs  are 
attached." 

Without  further  discussion  of  this  great  group  of 
animals,  we  will  proceed  at  once  to  the  consideration  of 
the  classes.  Of  existing  vertebrates,  we  here  recognize 

9 


10  VERTEBRATE  ANIMALS. 

eight  classes.  These  are:  —  1.  MAMMALIA,  or  Mammals; 
2.  AVES,  or  Birds;  3.  REPTILIA,  or  Reptiles^  4.  BATRACHIA, 
or  Batrachians;  5.  PISCES,  or  True  Fishes;  6.  ELASMO- 
BRANCHII,  or  Selachians;  7.  MARSIPOBRANCHII,  or  Myzonts; 
8.  LEPTOCARDII,  or  Lancelets. 

Of  these  classes,  two,  Elasmobranchii  and  Leptocardii, 
are  represented  by  marine  forms  only,  and  do  not, 
therefore,  come  within  the  scope  of  this  treatise. 

The  relations  of  the  classes  of  Vertebrates  may  be 
recognized  by  the  following  analysis,  taken,  in  part, 
from  Prof.  Gill's  "Arrangement  of  the  Families  of 
Fishes."  Only  the  most  obvious  characters  are  here 
referred  to,  although  others,  less  striking,  are  often  of 
greater  taxonomic  value. 

CLASSES  OF  VERTEBRATES. 

*  Respiration  never  performed  after  birth  by  means  of  branchiae. 

f  Exoskeleton  developed  as  hair  (rarely  obsolete) ;  warm  blood ; 

heart  with  four  cavities ;  diaphragm  complete ;  two  occipital 

condyles ;  viviparous ;  young  developed  from  a  minute  egg, 

and  nourished  for  a  time  by  milk  secreted  in  the  mammary 

glands  of  the  mother.          ....        MAMMALIA. 

ft  Exoskeleton  developed  as  feathers ;  warm  blood ;  heart  with 

four  cavities;    diaphragm  incomplete;    a  single  occipital 

condyle ;   oviparous ;  young  hatched  from  a  comparatively 

large  egg ;  no  mammary  glands AVES. 

tff  Exoskeleton  developed  as  scales,  or  bony  plates ;  cold  blood ; 

heart  with  three  cavities  (four  in  CrocodilicC) ;    a  single 

occipital  condyle ;  oviparous  (or  rarely  ovoviparous) ;  young 

hatched  from  a  rather  large  egg.        .        .        .     REPTILIA. 

**  Respiration  performed  by  gills  for  a  part,  or  the  whole,  of  life ; 

cold  blood. 

\  Skull  more  or  less  developed,  with  the  notochord  not  continued 
forwards  beyond  the  pituitary  body ;  brain  differentiated 
and  distinctly  developed;  heart  developed  and  divided 
into  at  least  an  auricle  and  ventricle. 


VEETEBEATA.  11 

a.  Skull  well  developed  and  with  a  lower  jaw ;  nostrils  paired. 
b.  No  median  rayed  fins ;  limbs  not  developed  as  rayed 
fins,  but,  if  present,  having  the  same  skeletal  elements 
as  in  the  higher  vertebrates;  skin  usually  naked; 
respiration  in  the  adult  chiefly,  or  entirely,  accom- 
plished by  means  of  lungs,  the  branchiae  rarely 
persistent 'BATRACHIA. 

(   bb.  Rayed  fins  present  on  median  line  of  the  body ;   limbs 

)  developed  as  rayed  fins ;  at  least  one  pair  being  always 

present ;  respiration  by  means  of  branchia?  throughout 
life ;  lungs  not  developed. 

c.  Membrane  bones  (operculum,  etc.)  developed  in  con- 
nection with  the  skull;  gills  free;  the  branchial 
openings  a  single  slit  on  each  side;  exoskeleton 
usually  of  scales,  or  plates,  never  placoid;  eggs 

^   small  and  numerous PISCES. 

cc.  Skull  without  membrane  bones ;   gills  not  free ;  the 
branchial    openings    slit-like,    usually   several    in 
number;  exoskeleton  placoid,  never  of  scales,  but 
usually  composed  of  calcified  papillae  of  various 
styles ;  eggs  few  and  large.      .     ELASMOBRANCHII. 
aa.  Skull  imperfectly  developed  and  with  no  lower  jaw; 
a  single  median  nostril ;  paired  fins  undeveloped,  with 
no  shoulder  girdle  nor  pelvic  elements;    gills  purse - 
shaped ;  skin  naked.         .         .         MARSIPOBRANCHII. 
££  Skull  undeveloped,  with  the  notochord  persistent  and  extend- 
ing to  the  anterior  end  of  the  head ;  brain  not  distinctly 
differentiated ;  heart  none,  LE?TOCABDII. 


12  MAMMALS. 


I.—  J&amtnalia. 


(The  Mammals.) 

A  Mammal  is  a  warm-blooded,  air-breathing  vertebrate, 
having  the  skin  more  or  less  covered  with  hair;  vivipar- 
ous; embryo  developed  from  a  minute  egg,  and  provided 
with  an  amnion  and  allantois;  young  nourished  for  a 
time  after  birth  by  milk,  secreted  in  the  mammary 
glands  of  the  mother;  respiration  never  by  branchiae, 
but  after  birth  by  lungs,  suspended  freely  in  the  thoracic 
cavity,  which  is  completely  separated  from  the  abdominal 
cavity  by  a  muscular  septum  (the  diaphragm);  heart 
with  four  cavities;  a  complete  double  circulation.  The 
peculiarities  of  the  skeleton  are  too  numerous  to  be 
noticed  in  this  connection. 

The  following  key  to  the  Orders  and  Families  of 
Mammals  which  occur  within  our  limits  (omitting  the 
Seals  and  the  Cetaceans,  all  our  members  of  which 
groups  are  marine),  is  mostly  taken  from  Prof.  Gill's 
"Arrangement  of  the  Families  of  Mammals."  It  has 
been  thought  best  not  to  give  here  any  separate  account 
of  the  different  orders,  as,  in  the  abundance  of  literature 
on  that  subject,  it  seems  unnecessary. 

ORDERS  OF  MAMMALIA. 

*  Young  not  born  until  of  considerable  size  and  nearly  perfect 
development,  deriving  its  nourishment,  before  birth,  from 
the  mother  through  the  intervention  of  a  placenta  ;  a  well 
developed  corpus  callosum.  (MONODELPHIA.) 

f  Brain  with  a  relatively  large  cerebrum,  overlapping  much,  or 
all,  of  the  cerebellum  and  olfactory  lobes.    (EDUCABILIA.) 


MAMMALS.  13 

J  Anterior  and  posterior  limbs  and  pelvis  well  developed ; 
femur  and  humerus  not  exserted  beyond  the  common 
integuments  of  the  body. 

a.  Feet  with  developed  claws ;  canines  specialized ;  molars, 

one  or  more,  sectorial,  adapted  for  cutting ;  incisors 

f ;  chiefly  carnivorous.         .         .         CARNIVORA,  A. 

aa.  Feet  with  hoofs ;  molars  mostly  with  grinding  surfaces ; 

incisors  various;   no  tusks;  developed  toes,  four  or 

fewer ;  chiefly  herbivorous.        .        .      UNGHLATA,  B. 

ff  Brain  with  a  relatively  small  cerebrum,  leaving  behind  much 

of  the  cerebellum  exposed,  and,  in  front,  much  of  the 

olfactory  lobes.    (INEDUCABILIA.) 

b.  Canine  teeth  present,  in  some  form ;  incisors  not  f  nor  f . 
c.  Anterior  limbs  adapted  for  flight ;  ulna  and  radius 
united;   bones  of  hand  and  fingers  much  elon- 
gated, supporting  a  thin,  leathery  skin,  extending 
along   sides    of  body  to    the    posterior    limbs; 
mammae  pectoral.         .         .         CHIROPTERA,  C. 
cc.  Limbs  all  adapted  for  walking ;  ulna  and  radius  not 
united;  hand  normal;  mammae  usually  abdomi- 
nal  IXSECTIVORA,  D. 

bb.  No  canine  teeth ;  incisors  f ,  rarely  f-,  chisel  shaped ; 
limbs  adapted  for  walking.         .         RODENTTA,  E. 

**  Young  born  when  of  very  small  size  and  incomplete  develop- 
ment, never  connected  by  a  placenta  to  the  mother ;  corpus 
callosum  rudimentary.  (DIDELPHIA.)  .  MARSUPIALIA,  F. 

A.    FAMILIES  OF  CAKNTVORA. 

*  Intestinal  canal  provided  with  a  coecum ;  feet  digitigrade ;  toes 

5-4. 
f  Teeth   28  to  30 ;    head    broad ;   snout    short ;   claws    sharp, 

retractile FELIILE,  1. 

ff  Teeth    38    to  46;    snout  elongated;    claws  bluntish,    non- 
retractile CANHXE,  2. 

**  Intestinal  canal  without  a  coecum ;  feet  plantigrade,  or,  if  not, 
toes  5-5. 


14  MAMMALS. 

J  Teeth  less  than  40 ;  body  rather  slender ;  feet  often  more  or 
less  perfectly  digitigrade.        .        .        .        MUSTELIDJSJ,  3. 
$  Teeth  40  or  42 ;  body  stout ;  feet  completely  plantigrade, 
a.  Tail  rudimentary ;   teeth  42;    lower  jaw  with  three  true 
molars ;  body  very  large  and  heavy.         .        URSID^E,  4. 
aa.  Tail  well  developed;  teeth  40;  lower  jaw  slender,  with 
two  true  molars ;  body  moderately  stout. 

PROCYONHLE,  5. 

B.    FAMILIES  OF  UNGULATA. 

*  Toes  paired  (artiodactylous) ;  horns  solid,  deciduous ;  teeth  34 

or  32.  CERVIIXE,  6. 

C.    FAMILIES  OF  CHIROPTERA. 

*  Snout  not  appendaged ;  tail  inclosed  in  the  membrane,  or  only 

the  last  joint  exserted.       .       .       .     VESPERTTLIONIDJC,  7. 


D.    FAMILIES  OF  INSECTIVORA. 

*  No   external    ear;    fore   feet   greatly   enlarged — adapted   for 

digging ;  limbs  very  short.          .         .         .         TALPDXE,  8. 
**  An  external  ear ;  feet  normal ;  hind  feet  usually  longest. 

SORICIIXE,  9. 

E.    FAMILIES  OF  RODENTIA. 

*  Incisors  f ;  tail  well  developed. 

f  Hair  forming  a  fur,  without  spines. 
a.  Tail  broad,  flat  and  scaly;    feet   webbed;    molars  f'f ; 

body  stout  and  heavy.        .        .        .        CASTORID^E,  11. 
aa.  Limbs  very  short,  about  equal ;  fore  claws  much  enlarged ; 

large  external  cheek  pouches ;  body  thick-set  and  heavy ; 

molars  f :J. GEOMYID,E,  12. 

aaa.  Tail  and   hind   legs  excessively  elongated,  the  latter 

adapted  for  leaping ;  molars  £f  •        .       ZAPODIDJE,  13. 
aaaa.  With  none  of  the  preceding  combinations. 


FEIULE. — I.  15 

b.  Molars  fvj  or  f-if-;    no  foramen  (as  in  the  next);   tail 

usually  long  and  hairy ;  (squirrels,  etc.)  SCIURDXE,  10. 

bb.  Molars  f  if  to  f  if;  zygomatic  process  of  upper  jaw  with 

a  foramen ;  (rats  and  mice).        .        .        MUKIIXE,  14. 

ff  Fur  with  stiff  spine-like  bristles ;    toes   with  long,  curved 

claws SPALACOPODED^E,  15. 

**  Incisors  f ;  the  middle  upper  incisors  large,  grooved,  the  outer 
ones  small ;  teeth  28 ;  tail  very  short ;  ears  long. 

LEPORIIXE,  16. 

F.    FAMILIES  OF  MARSUPIALIA. 

*  Tail  long,  prehensile,  nearly  naked ;  feet  plantigrade ;  incisors 
f :{ ;  teeth  50 DIDELPHIDIIXE,  17 


OEDEE  A.-CAENIYOEA. 

(The  Flesh-Eaters  or  Feres.) 

FAMILY   I.— FELID^E. 

(Tlie  Cats.) 

Digitigrade  Garni vora  with  the  toes  5-4;  claws  com- 
pressed, very  sharp,  retractile;  palms  and  soles  hairy, 
with  naked  pads  under  each  toe  and  the  ball  of  the  foot. 
Body  compact;  head  short,  broad  and  rounded.  Dentition 
i.  |;|;  c.  -J-i-J;  pm.  f;|  or  -|;f ;  m.  ^'|=30  or  28;  canine  teeth 
long  and  sharp;  teeth  all  strongly  trenchant;  tongue  with 
short,  retrorse  papillae.  General  aspect  cat-like.  A  well- 
known  group  comprising  about  fifty  species,  found  in  all 
parts  of  the  world  excepting  Australia  and  its  islands. 

*  Premolars  f  !f ,  anterior  upper  one  very  small ;  tail  at  least  half 
as  long  as  the  body  (exclusive  of  head  and  neck) ;  fur  compact 
and  glossy ;  ears  not  tufted FELIS,  1. 

**  Premolars  ff,  (anterior  upper  one  wanting);  tail  less  than 
half  length  of  body  proper ;  ears  triangular,  tufted.  LYNX,  2. 


16  MAMMALS. 


/.  FELISf  Linnaeus.     CATS. 

1.  F.  concolor,  L.  AMERICAN  PANTHER.  COUGAR. 
PUMA.  Above  tawny  brownish  yellow;  a  wash  of  dark- 
er along  dorsal  line;  dirty  white  below;  large;  body  4£ 
feet  long.  Whole  continent  of  America,  N.  to  lat.  50° 
to  60°. 

2.  LYNX,  Rafinesque.     WILD  CATS. 

1.  L  canadensis,  (Desm.)  Raf.    CANADA  LYNX.     Feet 
very  large,  densely  furred  beneath  in  winter,  concealing 
the  small,  naked  patches;  tail  black  at  tip;   no  distinct 
bars  on  inner  side  of  legs;  much  larger  than  the  next, 
with  larger  feet  and  longer  fur.     N.  A. 

2.  L.  rufus,  ( Guldenstadt. )    Raf.      AMERICAN   WILD 
CAT.     Inner  sides  of  legs  with   dark  cross  bands;    tail 
with  a  black  patch  at  end  above,  preceded  by  half  rings. 
U.  S.  and  northward. 


FAMILY  II.— CANID^E. 

( The  Dogs. ) 

Digitigrade  Carnivora  with  blunt,  non- retractile  claws; 
toes  5-4.  Muzzle  more  or  less  elongated.  Dentition  typi- 
cally i.  |:|;  c.  |;|;  pm.  f;|;  m.  |.|=42;  canines  large, 
rather  blunt.  Both  hemispheres. 

*  Tail  comparatively  short ;  upper  incisors  distinctly  lobed ;  pupil 

circular CANIS,  1 

**  Tail  comparatively  long  and  bushy;  upper  incisors  scarcely 

lobed ;  pupil  elliptical ;  body  more  slender, 
f  Tail  with  soft  fur  and  long  hair ;  muzzle  long.     .    VULPES,  2. 
ft  Tail  with  a  concealed  mane  of  stiff  hairs,  and  without  soft 
fur ;  muzzle  shorter UROCYON,  3. 


MUSTELID^E. — HI.  17 

/.  CANIS,  Linnseus.     WOLVES. 

1.  C.  lupus,  L.  WOLF.  Color  exceedingly  variable; 
northward  it  is  chiefly  gray,  southward  more  and  more 
blackish  and  reddish,  till  in  Florida  black  wolves  pre- 
dominate, and  in  Texas  red  ones.  N.  A.  and  northern 
parts  of  the  Old  World.  (C.  occidentalis^  Auct.) 

2.   VULPES,  Brisson.     FOXES. 

1.  K  vulgaris,  Fleming.  RED  Fox.  CROSS  Fox.  SILVER 
Fox.  BLACK  Fox.  Chiefly  red,  with  black  feet  and  ears; 
tip  of  tail  white.  A  single  species,  widely  variable  in 
color,  as  indicated  by  the  common  names.  N.  Am. 
Europe  (V.fulvus,  Auct.) 

3.  UROCYON,BB,ird.     GRAY  FOXES. 

1.  U.  cinereo-argentatus,  (Schreb.)  Coues.  GRAY 
Fox.  Chiefly  gray;  fur  dusky  or  fulvous,  hairs  hoary  at 
tip;  tip  of  tail  usually  dark.  Penn.  S.,  W.  to  the  Pacific. 

FAMILY  III.  —  MUSTELINE. 

(The  Weasels.) 

Carnivora  either  plantigrade  or  digitigrade,  with  the 
toes  5-5.     Molars  J:|(  rarely  }:|);  the  upper  and  the  last 
lower  one  tubercular;  no  ccecum.    Most  species  provided 
with  glands  near  the  anus  which  secrete  a  fetid  liquid. 
Some  are  strictly  carnivorous  while  others  are  rather  om- 
nivorous.   Size  usually  medium  or  small.    They  are  found 
in  all  parts  of  the  earth  excepting  the  Australian  region. 
*  Last  or  true  molar  of  upper  jaw  short,  small,  transversely  elon- 
gated ;  toes  short ;  claws  retractile.    (MUSTELINE.) 
f  Teeth  38;  body  slender;  feet  digitigrade ;  tail  rather  long;  low- 
er first  molar  with  an  internal  tubercle.      .       MUSTELA,  1, 


18  MAMMALS. 

ft  Teeth  84;  body  slender;  feet  digitigrade ;  tail  usually  long; 

sectorial  tooth  without  internal  tubercle.     .        PUTORIUS,  2. 

Iff  Teeth  38 ;  body  stout ;  feet  sub-plantigrade ;  tail  as  long  as 

head,  very  full  and  bushy GULO,  3. 

**  True  molar  of  upper  jaw  veiy  large,  sub-triangular,  tubercu- 
lar; fore  claws  much  lengthened,  for  diggirg.     (MELIN.E.) 

a.  Body  short  and  stout ;  tail  very  short ;  teeth  32.    TAXIDEA,  4. 
***  True  molar  of  upper  jaw  quadrangular,  wide,  very  large,  with 

an  outer   cutting  ridge;    claws    non-retractile,  fore  claws 
lengthened,  fossorial.     (  MEPHITIN^E.) 

b.  Snout  pointed ;  colors  black  and  white ;  fetid  glands  highly 

developed ;  teeth  34 MEPHITIS,  5. 

****  True  molar  large,  quadrate ;  teeth  36 ;   body  elongated ;  toes 
palmate,  adapted  for  swimming.    (LUTKIN^E.)    LUTKA,  6. 

/.  MU STELA,  Linnaeus.     MARTENS. 

1.  M.    americana,  Turton.     SABLE.  PINE  MARTEN. 
Chiefly  reddish    yellow,  clouded  with  black;  legs  and 
tail,  blackish;    length  less   than   two  feet.  Maine  to 
Oregon,  and  northward. 

2.  M.  pennant//',  Erxleben.  FISHER.  BLACK  CAT.  Color, 
variable ;  belly,  legs,  tail,  and  hind  parts  chiefly  black; 
length  more  than  two  feet.     Northern  N.  A. 

2.  PUTORIUS,  Cuvier.     WEASELS. 

1.  P.  vulgaris,  Cuvier.  LEAST  WEASEL.    Liver-brown, 
white   beneath ;    usually   white    in    winter ;   tail    never 
really  black  at  tip  ;  body  6  to  7  inches  long.     N.  U.  S. 
and  northward,  also  Old  World. 

2.  P.  ermineus,  Cuvier.    COMMON  WEASEL.     ERMINE. 
Colors    various ;    tip  of  tail    usually  black  ;    white    in 
winter  ?     northward.     Length  of  body    8   to  11  inches. 


URSDXE. — IV.  19 

N.  Am.  and  Old  World,  abundant.    (P.  noveboracensts, 
cicognanii)  etc.,  of  authors.) 

3.  P.  vison,  Gapper.  COMMON  MINK.  Brownish 
chestnut ;  tail  black  or  nearly  so  ;  length  of  body  15 
to  20  inches.  N.  A. 

3.  GULOr  Storr.     WOLVERINES. 

1.  G.  luscuSf  (L.)  Sabine.  WOLVERINE.  Dark  brown  ; 
legs  and  beneath  black.  N.  U.  S.  and  N. 

4.   TAXIDEA,  Waterhouse.     BADGERS. 

1.  T.  amer/'cana,  (Bodd.)  Baird.  AMERICAN  BADGER. 
Chiefly  grayish.  Wisconsin,  N.  and  W. 

5.  MEPHITIS,  Cuvier.     SKUNKS. 

1.  M.  mephitica,  (Shaw)  Baird.  COMMON  SKUNK. 
Usually  black  with  tip  of  tail,  dorsal  stripes  and  nuchal 
patch  white;  sometimes  all  black  or  even  nearly  all 
white.  Mexico  to  Arctic  regions,  an  abundant  and  fa- 
miliar species.  ( M.  chinga^  Tiedemann.) 

6.  LUTRA,  Linnaeus.     OTTERS. 

1.  L  canadensis,  Sabine.  AMERICAN  OTTER.  Liver- 
brown;  length  4£  feet.  U.  S. 

FAMILY  IV.— URSHLE. 

( The  Bears. ) 

Plantigrade  Carnivora  having  the  body  thick  and 
clumsy.  Tail  rudimentary.  Teeth  42 ;  molars  broad  and 
tuberculated,  according  with  the  omnivorous  diet.  Species 
few  and  widely  distributed, — in  North  America,  there  are 
probably  but  three,  although  many  have  been  described, 
the  Polar  Bear  Thalarctos  maritimiis,  the  Grizzly  Bear, 
tyrsics  horribiliS)  and  the  following. 


20  MAMMALS. 

/.   URSUS,  Linnaeus.     BEAKS. 

1.  U.  americanus,  Pallas.  BEOWN,  BLACK  OB  CIN- 
NAMON BEAR.  Color,  size,  etc.,  exceedingly  variable, 
but  the  several  forms  or  varieties  intergrade  perfectly. 
N.  Am. 

FAMILY  V.— PROCYONID^E. 

(The  Raccoons.) 

Plantigrade  Carnivora  of  moderate  size,  with  the  body 
comparatively  slender  and  the  tail  well  developed.  Teeth 
40.  Snout  more  or  less  elongated;  no  ccecum.  Genera 
two, — .ZVaswtf,  the  Coatimundi  of  Mexico,  and  the  follow- 
ing, all  American. 

/.  PROCYON,  Storr.     RACCOON. 

1.  P.  /ofor,  (L.)  Storr.  COMMON  RACCOON.  "  COON." 
Grayish  white;  hairs  black-tipped;  tail  with  black  rings. 
U.  S.;  abundant. 


OEDEE  B.-TJ3TGULATA. 

(The  Hoofed  Mammals). 

FAMILY  VI.  — CERVID^E. 

(The  Deer). 

Horns  deciduous,  solid,  developed  from  the  frontal 
bone,  more  or  less  branched,  covered  at  first  by  a  soft, 
hairy  integument,  known  as  "velvet";  when  the  horns 
attain  their  full  size,  which  they  do  in  a  very  short  time, 
there  arises  at  the  base  of  each  a  ring  of  tubercles  known 
as  the  "burr;  "  this  compresses  and  finally  obliterates  the 


.  —  VI.  21 


blood-vessels  supplying  the  velvet,  which  dries  up  and  is 
stripped  off,  leaving  the  bone  hard  and  insensible;  the 
horns  or  "  antlers  "  are  shed  annually,  the  separation  of 
the  "beam"  from  its  "pedicel"  taking  place  just  below 
the  burr  ;  the  antlers  are  wanting  in  the  female  (except- 
ing in  the  Reindeer)  but  they  are  usually  present  in 
the  male.  Herbivorous;  stomach  in  four  divisions,  of 
the  ordinary  ruminant  pattern.  Dental  formula,  i.  J;§; 
c.  (usually)  -J:^;  pm.  |:|;  m.  |;|.  A  widely  distributed 
family. 

*  Horns  (in  males  only)  very  broadly  palmated  to  the  tip  ;  nose 
very  broad,  entirely  hairy  except  a  small  naked  spot  between 
nostrils.         .  ......        ALCE,  1. 

**  Horns  (in  both  sexes)  broadly  palmated  at  tip  ;  nose  entirely 
hairy.        ........    RANGIFER,  2. 

***  Horns  (in  males  only)  rounded  more  or  less  ;  rarely  sub-pal- 

mated  ;  nose  naked  and  moist. 

f  Horns  large,  curving  backward,  with  the  snags  all  directed 
forward,  one  of  them  immediately  above  the  burr;  tail  very 
short  ;  hoofs  broad  and  rounded  ;  size  very  large. 

CERVUS,  3. 

ff  Horns  smaller,  curving  forward,  the  first  snag  short,  at  some 
distance  above  the  base,  and  like  the  others  curving 
upward;  tail  rather  long;  hoofs  rather  elongate;  size 
smaller  ........  CARiACus,4. 

/.  ALCE,  Hamilton  Smith.     ELKS. 
1.  A.  americanus,  Jardine.     MOOSE.     AMERICAN  ELK. 
Largest  of  our  Cervidce,   reaching  the  size  of  a  horse. 
Maine  and  N.  N.  Y.  to  Oregon  and  N. 

2.  RANGIFER,  Hamilton  Smith.     REINDEER. 

1.  R.  caribou,  Aud.  &  Bach.  WOODLAND  CARIBOU. 
REINDEER.  Maine  to  Hudson's  Bay  and  Lake  Superior; 
perhaps  the  same  as  the  Reindeer  of  Europe  (R. 


22         -  MAMMALS. 

3.  CERVUS,  Linnaeus.     DEER. 

1.  C.  canadensis,  Erxleben.  "AMERICAN  ELK.'* 
WAPITI.  Chestnut  red,  grayish  in  winter;  size  nearly 
equal  to  that  of  the  Moose.  Alleghany  region  of  Penn. 
and  Va.,  Wis.  (near  Green  Bay,  Van  Vleckj)  Yellow- 
stone region  and  W. 

4.  CARIACUS,  Gray.     RED  DEER. 

1.  C.  virginianus,  (Bodd.)  Gray.  VIRGINIA  DEER.  RED 
DEER.  General  color  chestnut  red,  grayish  in  winter. 
Maine  to  Rocky  Mountains  and  S.,  abundant  in  many  re- 
gions. 

OEDEE  C.-CHIEOPTEEA. 

(The  Bats.) 

FAMILY  VII.  — VESPERTILIONID^E. 

(The  Ordinary  Bats.) 

Insectivorous  Bats  with  the  snout  not  appendaged,  or 
merely  with  two  lateral  excrescences.  Wing  membranes 
ample.  Tail  completely  enclosed  in  the  interfemoral 
membrane  or  only  the  last  joint  exserted. 

*  Cheeks  without  excrescences ;  ears  moderate. 

t  Incisors  f  if.  VESPERTTLIO,  1. 

ft  Incisors  J:£.        .        .        .     >  .       .        .          ATALAPHA,  2. 

**  Cheeks  with  two   large  excrescences ;  ears  excessively  large, 

an  inch  high ;  teeth~36 ;  i.  f:f..        .        .      CORYNORHINUS,  3. 

/.   VESPERTILIO,  Linnaeus.     TYPICAL  BATS. 
>Scotophilus,  Leach. 

*  Teeth  38;  molars  |.|;  species  with  thin  wings  and  ears.    (Ves- 

pertilio) 
1.  If.  subu/atus,   Say.      LITTLE   BROWN   BAT.      Face 


VESPERTTLIOKLDJE. — VII.  28 

small,  fox-like,  with  high  forehead  and  pointed  snout; 
ears  large,  oval,  twice  the  height  of  the  erect  tragus; 
wings  naked;  iiiterfemoral  membrane  naked  except  at 
base,  face  whiskered;  color  dull  olive-brown.  L.  3;  E. 
9;  T.  1J.  N.  Am.;  abundant  every  where.  A  small  and 
very  variable  species.  (  V.  lutifugus,  Le  C.) 
**  Teeth  36;  molars  £:-§-•  (Vesper ides.) 

2.  V.  noct/vagans,  LeC.     SILVER  BLACK  BAT.     Tragus 
almost  as  broad  as  high,  scarcely  one-third  height  of  ear; 
femoral  membrane  entirely  though  scantily  furred;  fur 
long  and  silky,  black,  usually  with  silvery  tips  to  the 
hairs.     L.  3£;  E.  12;  T.  1|.     U.  S.  generally. 

***  Teeth  34;  molars  -f'f ;  stouter  species,  with  thicker  wings  and 
more  leathery  ears.    ( Vesperugo.) 

3.  /.  georgianus,  F.  Cuvier.     GEORGIA  BAT.     Tragus 
slender,  erect,  half  the  height  of  the  auricle;  upper  in- 
cisors about  equal  in  size;  femoral   membrane  one-third 
furred;    dark  reddish  brown,  brighter  forwards.     L.  3; 
E.  9;  T.  1£.     Maine  to  Texas;  chiefly  southward. 

****  Teeth  32;  molars  £$•;  stout  species.     (Vesperus.) 

4.  V.  fuscus,  Beauv.     CAROLINA  BAT.     DUSKY  BAT. 
Tragus  never  pointed,  nearly  half  as  high  as  auricle; 

wings  naked;  interfemoral  membrane  furred  at  base; 
ears  more  or  less  turned  outward;  upper  lateral  incisors 
small,  scarcely  visible.  L.  3  to  4;  E.  12;  T.  1J.  U.  S.; 
a  widely  diffused  species.  ( V.  carolinensis,  Geoff.  St. 
Hilaire.) 

2.  ATA  LA  PH A,  Rafinesque.     RED  BATS. 

*  Teeth  30 ;  molars  £$ ;  upper  incisors  small ;  wings  naked  and 
interfemoral  membranes  nearly  so.     (Nycticejus.) 

1.  A.  crepuscu/aris,  (Le  C.)  Cones.     TWILIGHT   BAT. 
Ears   small,  wide  apart;    a  small  wart  above  eye;    fur 


24  MAMMALS. 

rather  scanty;  dark  fawn  color  above,  passing  into 
brownish  below;  L.  3£;  E.  9;  T.  1£.  Perm,  to  Mo.,  and 
S.W. 

**  Teeth  32 ;  molars  f'.|- ;  upper  incisors  stout ;  interfemoral  mem- 
brane hairy  above,  and  wings  with  furry  patches  (Lasiurus.) 

2.  A.  noveboracensis,  (Erxl.)  Coues.     RED  BAT.     Fur 
long  and  silky,  reddish  brown,  mostly  white  at  tip;  lips 
and  ears  not  edged  with  black;    a  whitish  tuft  at  base 
of  thumb;   L.  3|;   E.  12;   T.  If.     U.  S.,  every  where. 
An  abundant  species,  readily  known  by  its  reddish  color. 

3.  A.  cinereus,  (Beauv.)   Coues.     HOARY  BAT.     Rich 
chocolate  -  brown,   overlaid   with    white;    lips   and   ears 
marked  with  black;   L.  5;   E.  14;  T.  2£.     U.  S.,  rather 
northward,  rare.     ( V.  pruinosus,  Say.) 

3.  CORYNORHINUS,  Harrison  Allen.    BIG-EARED  BATS. 

1.  C.  macrotis,  (Le  C.)  H.  Allen.  BIG-EAKED  BAT. 
Blackish,  fur  soft  and  long;  L.  3J;  E.  11;  T.  If.  Va.  to 
Missouri  region  and  S. 


OEDEE  D.-ESTSECTIVOEA, 

(The  Insect  Haters.) 

FAMILY  VIIL— TALPID^E. 

(The  Moles.} 

Body  stout,  thick,  and  clumsy,  without  visible  neck. 
Eyes  rudimentary,  sometimes  concealed.  No  external 
ears.  Limbs  very  short;  feet  greatly  expanded  and 
provided  with  strong  claws,  adapted  for  digging;  anterior 
limbs  much  larger  than  posterior.  Scapula  as  long  as 
humerus  and  radius  together.  Canines  usually  present. 


.  —  ix.  25 


Fur  compact,  soft  and  velvety.     Found  on  both  conti- 

nents. 

*  Nose  elongated,  not  fringed  ;   nostrils  superior  or  lateral  ;  tail 

short. 
f  Teeth  36  ;  nostrils  partly  superior  ;  tail  nearly  naked. 

SCALOPS,  1. 

ft  Teeth  44  ;  nostrils  lateral  ;  tail  densely  hairy.      SCAPANUS,  2. 

**  Nose  elongated,  fringed  at  end  with  a  circle  of  long  fleshy 

projections;  nostrils  terminal;  tail  nearly  as  long  as  body; 

teeth  44  ........        CONDYLURA,  3. 

/.  SCALOPS,  Cuvier.     SHREW  MOLES. 

1.  S.  aquaticus,  (L.)  Fischer.     COMMON  MOLE.     Dark 
plumbeous,   paler  below;    feet   full  webbed;    eyes   not 
covered  by  skin.    E.  U.  S.;  an  abundant  and  well  known 
species. 

2.  S.    argentatus,    Aud.    &    Bach.      PRAIRIE    MOLE. 
Silvery  plumbeous;  said  to  be  larger  and  more  silvery 
than  the  preceding.     Ohio  and  W.,  chiefly  in  the  prairie 
region. 

2.  SCAPANUS,Pome\.     HAIRY  -TAILED  MOLES. 
1.  S.  brewer/,  (Bach.)  Pom  el.     HAIRY  -TAILED  MOLE. 
Dark  plumbeous,  with  brown  gloss.     E.  U.  S. 

3.  CONDYLURA,  Illiger.     STAR-NOSED  MOLES. 
1.  C.    cristata,    (L.)    Desmarest.     STAR-NOSED   MOLE. 
Blackish.    U.  S.,  chiefly  northerly,  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific. 

FAMILY  IX.—  SORICID^E. 

(The  Shrews.) 

Mouse-like  Insectivora,  with  the  eyes  and  external 
ears  distinctly  developed.  Muzzle  elongated.  Feet 
normal,  not  fossorial;  the  fore-feet  mostly  smaller  than 
the  hind  ones.  Teeth  1  20  no  canines.  The  most 


26  MAMMALS. 

abundant  and  widely  distributed  family  of  the  Insecti- 
vora.  The  assumed  specific  distinctions  in  this  family 
are  utterly  worthless,  and  it  is  at  present  impossible  to 
characterize  the  species.  The  following  are  the  best 
known.  (See  Addenda.) 

*  Ears  large ;  auricle  directed  backwards ;  tail  about  as  long  as 
the  body ;  upper  anterior  incisors  with  a  second  basal  hook, 
and  an  angular  process  on  the  inner  side  near  the  point. 

SOREX,  1. 

**  Ears  small,  concealed  by  the  fur ;  tail  not  longer  than  head ; 
auricle  directed  forwards;  upper  anterior  incisor  without 
above-mentioned  hook  and  process.  .  .  BLARINA,  2. 

/.  SOREXf  Linnaeus.     SHREWS. 

1.  5.  platyrhinus,  (Dek.)  Wagner.     COMMON  SHREW. 
A  small,  long-nosed,  large-eared  species,  of  a  chestnut 
color,  having  the  tail  much  shorter  than  head  and  body; 
said  to  be  abundant  in  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States. 

2.  S.  cooper/,  Bach.    WESTERN  SHREW.    Still  smaller; 
color  light  chestnut;    tail  nearly  as  long  as  head   and 
body.    New  England,  N.  and  W. 

2.  BLARINA,  Gray.     SHORT-TAILED  SHREWS. 
1.  B.  brevicauda,  (Say)  Baird.     MOLE  SHREW.     Tail 
less   than   one-third   length   of    head   and  body;    color 
brownish  gray.     E.  U.  S.,  the  common  species. 


OEDEE  E.-EODESTIA. 

(The  Rodents  or  GUres.) 

FAMILY  X.— SCIURID^E. 

(The  Squirrels.) 

Rodents  with  the  molars  {-".J  (upper  anterior  often 
deciduous),  the  last  4  of  nearly  equal  size ;  a  distinct 
postorbital  process  of  frontal  bone;  tibia  and  fibula 


.  —  x.  27 


distinct.  Species  of  rather  small  size,  widely  distributed. 
The  variations  in  color,  etc.,  are  extremely  great,  and 
the  number  of  well-defined  species  is  very  much  less 
than  was  once  supposed. 

*  A  densely  furred  membrane  extending  along  the  sides  between 
the  anterior  and  posterior  limbs  ;  tail  depressed,  flattened, 
densely  furred  ;  permanent  molars  5-5  above. 

SCIUROPTERUS,  1. 

**  Sides  without  membrane  for  "  flying." 

f  No  cheek  pouches  ;  tail  bushy,  at  least  as  long  as  body  ;  ears 
long  ;  no  black  stripes  along  the  back.       .       Scrunus,  2. 
ff  Cheek  pouches  present. 

$  Back  with  3  to  5  distinct  black  stripes  ;   tail  shorter  than 
body,  not  bushy  ;  cheek  pouches  well  developed. 

TAMIAS,  3. 

ft  Not  as  above  ;  body  rather  slender,  squirrel-like  ;  cheek 
pouches  well  developed;  claw  of  thumb  rudimentary 
or  wanting  .....  SPERMOPHILUS,  4. 
ftJBody  large,  thick-set,  depressed;  cheek  pouches  shallow; 
thumb  rudimentary,  armed  with  a  small  flat  nail,  not  a 
claw;  soles  naked.  .  .  .  ABCTOMYS,  5. 

/.  SCIUROPTERUS,  F.  Cuvier.     FLYING  SQUIRRELS. 
<  Pteromys,  Cuvier. 

1.  S.  volucella,  (Pall.)  Geoff.  COMMON  FLYING 
SQUIRREL.  Yellowish  brown,  creamy  white  below.  N. 
Am.,  abundant.  (P.  volucella,  etc.,  authors.) 

2.  SCIURUS,  Linnaeus.     SQUIRRELS. 

1.  S.  niger,  Linn.  Fox  SQUIRREL.  Upper  molars 
permanently  4;  tail  very  large  and  bushy;  general  color 
rusty  gray,  varying  from  almost  white,  through  various 
shades  of  rusty  red  to  jet  black,  the  latter  color  rare 
northward,  reddish  and  orange  shades  predominating 
westward;  L.  26;  T.  14.  E.  U.  S.,  very  abundant  in  the 


28  MAMMALS. 

Mississippi  region.  Leading  varieties  are:  var.  niger, 
the  Southern  form,  gray  to  black  with  the  ears  and  nose 
white;  var.  cinereus,  the  Eastern  form,  with  short  ears, 
scarcely  longer  than  the  fur;  and  var.  ludovicianus^  the 
Western  form,  with  high  ears  and  a  prevailing  tinge  of 
orange  red. 

2.  S.   carolinensis,  Auct.     GRAY   SQUIRREL.    BLACK 
SQUIRREL.     Upper  molars  5;  varies  from  grizzly  yellow- 
ish gray  to  pure  jet  black;  L.  24;  T.  13.     N.  Am.,  E.  of 
the  plains,  abundant. 

3.  S.  hudsonius,  Pallas.     RED  SQUIRREL.   CHICKAREE. 
Chiefly  rusty  red,   back  with  a  wash  of    brighter   red; 
L.  14;  T.  6£.     N.  Am.,  rather  northerly;  abundant. 

3.  TAMIAS,  Illiger.     GROUND  SQUIRRELS. 

1.  T.  str/atus,  (L.)  Baird.  CHIPMUNK.  GROUND  SQUIR- 
REL. Back  and  sides  with  five  black  stripes;  L.  11;  T. 
4£.  Maine  to  Va.,  and  westward;  abundant. 

4.  SPERMOPHILUS,  Cuvier.     GOPHERS. 

1.  S.    tridecemlineatus,     ( Mitch. )     Aud.     &     Bach. 
STRIPED    GOPHER.      Dark    brown,    with    light    stripes 
alternating  with  lines  of  dots,  about  thirteen  in  all;  L. 
10;  T.  4.     Prairies;  Ark.  to  the  Saskatchawan. 

2.  S.  frank/in/,  (Sab.)  Rich.     GRAY  GOPHER.    Yellow- 
ish gray,  mottled  with  brown;  L.  15;  T.  5£.     Prairies; 
111.  and  northward. 

5.  ARCTOMYS,  Schreber.     MARMOTS. 

1.  A.  monax,  (L.)  Gmel.  WOODCHUCK.  GROUND  HOG. 
Grizzly  gray,  varying  to  chestnut  and  blackish.  Hud- 
son's Bay  to  Va.,  and  westward;  common. 


GEOMYID^E. — XII.  29 

FAMILY  XL  — CASTORID^E. 

( The  Beavers.) 

Aquatic  Rodents  of  large  size,  having  the  molars 
rootless,  J;£,  or  f;f ;  fore  feet  with  five  distinct  toes  and 
claws;  tibia  and  fibula  distinct;  no  postorbital  process. 
A  small  family,  containing  but  two  existing  genera, 
Haplodontia  of  our  N.W.  coast,  and  Castor. 

*  Molars  4-4  above ;  hind  feet  webbed ;  tail  broad,  flat,  and  scaly. 

CASTOR,  1. 
/.  CASTOR,  Linnaeus.     BEAVERS. 

1.  C.  fiber,  L.  BEAVER.  Mexico  to  the  Polar  Sea; 
now  being  rapidly  exterminated.  (C.  canadensis,  Kuhl.) 

FAMILY  XII.  —  GEOMYID^E. 

(The  Pouched  Gophers) 

Cheek  pouches  large  and  distinct,  opening  outside  of 
the  mouth.  Molars  J:|;  incisors  large  and  thick;  skull 
heavy;  temporal  bones  enormously  developed.  Limbs 
about  equal,  the  fore  claws,  five  in  number,  very  large; 
tibia  and  fibula  united.  Body  thick-set  and  clumsy. 

Genera  two,  Geomys  and  Thomomys,  all  North  Ameri- 
can, and  chiefly  inhabiting  the  central  plains;  habits 
nocturnal  and  subterranean. 

*  A  large  groove  near  the  middle  of  each  upper  incisor ;  crown 

of  molars  elliptical GEOMYS,  1. 

/.  GEOMYS,  Rafinesque.     POUCHED  GOPHERS. 
1.  G.  bursar/us,  (Shaw)  Rich.    POCKET  GOPHER.    Red- 
dish brown,  with  plumbeous  tinge.     Prairies,  Wis.  and 
Ills.,  westward. 

FAMILY  XIII.  — ZAPODIDJE. 

(The  Jumping  Mice.) 

Hind  legs  greatly  elongated,  adapted  for  taking  long 
leaps;  fore  legs  short.  Tail  very  long.  Molars  £J; 


30  MAMMALS. 

tibia  and  fibula  united.  Contains,  probably,  but  a  single 
species,  inhabiting  the  Northern  U.  S.,  related  to  the  Old 
World  Jerboas. 

/.  ZAPUSr  Coues  JUMPING  MICE. 

=  Jaculus,  Wagler. 

1.    Z.    hudsonius,    ( Zimmermann )    Coues.     Yellowish 
brown.     U.  S.,  chiefly  northward;  variable. 

FAMILY  XIV.  — MURID^E. 

(The  Mice) 

Incisors  f;  molars  usually  -J;-|;  anteorbital  foramen  a 
vertical  slit,  widening  above  and  bounded  externally  by 
a  broad  plate  of  the  upper  maxillary;  coronoid  and 
condyloid  processes  of  lower  jaw  well  developed.  A 
large  family,  found  in  all  parts  of  the  globe,  some  of  the 
species  (Mus}  being  cosmopolitan,  having  accompanied 
man  in  his  migrations  through  the  ages;  all  are  of  small 
size,  the  muskrat  being  one  of  the  largest,  and  many  are 
smaller  than  any  other  quadrupeds,  except  the  Shrews. 
*  Incisors  laterally  compressed ;  molars  rooted.  (MURING.) 
f  Molars  with  three  tubercles  in  transverse  series ;  soles  naked ; 
tail  long,  scaly ;  (Old  World  species,  introduced  in  America.) 

Mus,  1. 
ff  Molars  complicated,  with  two  tubercles  in  transverse  series ; 

soles  usually  hairy;  (New  World  species.) 
a.  Rat-like ;  size  large ;  ears  large,  rarely  naked.   NEOTOMA,  2. 
aa.  Mouse-like ;  size  small. 

b.  Incisors  not  grooved ;  ears  very  large ;  feet  and  lower 

parts  usually  white.        .        .        .       HESPEROMYS,  3. 

bb.  Size  very  small ;  upper  incisors  grooved  longitudinally 

along  their  anterior  surface.          .          OCHETODON,  4. 

:*  Incisors  as  broad  as  deep ;  molars  rootless  (except  in  Evotomys), 

\  Tail  not  specially  compressed ;  teeth  not  grooved. 


MURID^E. — XIV.  31 

c.  Molars  rooted;  coronoicl  process  of  lower  jaw,  not  reaching 

level  of  condyle ;  ears  overtopping  the  fur.   EVOTOMYS,  5. 

cc.  Molars  rootless ;  coronoid  process  as  high  as  condyle ;  ears 

more  or  less  concealed.         .        .        .          ARVICOLA,  6. 

$  Upper    incisors    grooved ;    root    of    lower    incisor    ending 

abruptly  opposite  the  last  molar ;  ears  large. 

SYNAPTOMYS,  7. 

£$  Tail  scant -haired,  vertically  flattened;    hind   feet   partly 
webbed ;  size  large FIBER,  8. 

/.  MUS,  Linnasus.     OLD  WORLD  RATS  AND  MICE. 

1.  M.  decumanus,  Pallas.     BROWN  or  NORWAY  RAT. 
Tail  nearly  an  inch  shorter  than  head  and  body,  grayish 
brown  above;  paler  below;  feet  dusty  white;  fur  mixed 
with  stiff  hairs;  cosmopolitan;  introduced  into  America 
about  1775,  and  now  the  commonest  species. 

2.  M.  raff  us,  L.     BLACK  RAT.     Tail  not  shorter  than 
head  and   body;    sooty  black,    plumbeous    below;    feet 
brown;  introduced  about  1544,  but  now  being  supplanted 
by  the  preceding. 

3.  M.    alexandrinus,    Geoff.      ROOF    RAT.     WHITE  - 
BELLIED  RAT.     Introduced  in  the  Southern  States. 

4.  M.  musculus,  L.     COMMON  HOUSE  MOUSE.     Cosmo- 
politan; every  where  too  well  known. 

2.  NEOTOMA,  Say.  &  Ord.     WOOD  RATS. 
1.  N.  floridana,  S.  &  O.    WOOD  RAT.     Tail  scantily 
hairy,    scarcely   as    long   as   body   without    head;     feet 
entirely  white;    L.  14;    T.  6,  or  less.      S.  U.  S.,  N.  to 
Mass,  and  Ills. 

3.  #£$/>£/?0Af  r$,  Waterhouse.   WHITE  -  FOOTED  MICE. 

*  Fur  soft  and  glossy ;  lower  parts  white ;  soles  naked,  or  slightly 
hairy;  tail  closely  hairy ;  ears  large.    (Vesperimm.) 

1.  H.  leucopus,  (Raf.)  LeC.     DEER  MOUSE.   WHITE- 


32  MAMMALS. 

FOOTED  MOUSE.  Yellowish  brown;  tail  distinctly  bicol or 
about  as  long  as  head  and  body;  hind  feet  more  than  f 
inch.  N.  Am.;  abundant. 

2.  H.  michiganensis,  (Aud.  &  Bach.)  Wagner.    MICHI- 
GAN MOUSE.     Tail  little  longer  than  body  without  head, 
bicolor;    hind  feet    less    than    £    inch;    dark    brown;    a 
darker  dorsal  band;  L.  3,  or  less,  to  base  of  tail.    Upper 
Miss.  Valley  to  Mich.,  etc. 

3.  H.  aureolus,  (Aud.  &  Bach.)  Wagner.     RED  MOUSE. 
Yellowish  cinnamon,  bright  especially  on  ears;  belly  not 
pure  white.     Pa.  to  Ills.,  arid  S. 

**  Soles  naked ;  tail  scant-haired,  about  as  long  as  head  and  body ; 
ears  small.     (Oryzomys.) 

4.  H.  palustris,  (Harlan)  Baird.    RICE -FIELD  MOUSE. 
Blackish   and   ashy  above,   becoming  paler  below;    fur 
harsh,  but  compact;  a  large  rat -like  species.     S.  States, 
N.  to  N.  J.  and  Kas. 

4.  OCHETODON,  Coues.     HARVEST  MICE. 

<  Reithrodon,  Baird. 

1.  0.  hu mills,  (Aud.  &  Bach.)  Coues.  HARVEST  MOUSE. 
Tail  shorter  than  head  and  body;  appearance  decidedly 
mouse  -  like.  U.  S.,  southerly,  N.  to  Iowa. 

5.  EVOTOMYS,  Coues.     LONG -EARED  MICE. 

<  Arvicola,  Bd. 

1.  E.  rutilus  (Pall.)  var.  gapperi,  (Vigors)  Coues.  LONG- 
EARED  MOUSE.  Color  chestnut ;  ears  prominent ;  a 
brownish  dorsal  band;  size  of  common  mouse.  North- 
ern frontier,  S.  to  Mass. 

6.  ARVICOLA,  Lacepede.     FIELD  MICE. 
*  Back  upper  molar  with  two  external  triangles  and  a  posterior 
crescent;   middle  upper  molar  with  two  internal  triangles; 
front  lower  molar  with  three  internal  and  two  or  three  lateral 
triangles ;  size  large.    (Myonomes.) 


SPALACOPODID^E. — XV.  33 

1.  A.  riparius,  Ord.      MEADOW  MOUSE.      Fore  claws 
not   longer   than    hind   claws;    tail  one-third  length  of 
head  and  body,  or  more.     U.  S.;  generally  abundant. 

**  Back  upper  molar  with  one  exterior  triangle  and  a  posterior 
trefoil ;  middle  upper  molar  with  one  internal  triangle ;  front 
lower  molar  with  two  internal  and  one  external  triangle; 
fore  claws  not  larger  than  hinder;  fur  ordinary;  size 
medium.  (Ped&mys.) 

2.  A.  austerus,  LeC.     Tail  one-third  length  of  head 
and  body,  or  less.     Western  States,  E.  to  Michigan. 

***  Teeth  as  in  Ped&mys;  fore  claws  larger  than  hinder;  fur 
dense,  silky,  mole-like ;  size  small.  (Pitymys.) 

3.  A.  p/netorum,  LeC.     PINE  MOUSE.     Tail  about  one- 
fourth  length  of  head  and  body.     E.  U.  S. 

7.  SYHAPTOMYS,  Baird.     COOPER'S  MOUSE. 

1.  S.  cooper/,  Baird.  Head  short  and  heavy;  fur  soft 
and  long.  W.  States,  E.  to  Ind. 

8.  FIBER,  Cuvier.     MUSKRATS. 

1.  F.  zibeihicus,  ( L.)  Cuv.  MUSKRAT.  MUSQUASH.  A 
well  -  known  aquatic  animal,  the  largest  of  our  Muridce. 
N.  Am.;  every  where. 

FAMILY  XV.  — SPALACOPODID^E. 

(TJie  Porcupines.) 

Body  more  or  less  armed  with  spines.  Molars  rooted, 
f:f.  Toes  4-5  in  ours,  sub -equal,  with  long,  com- 
pressed, curved  claws;  soles  warty.  Muzzle  hairy; 
upper  lip  without  a  groove;  chiefly  arboreal;  nearly  all 
are  South  American.  The  above  characters  apply  rather 
to  the  sub -family  Cercolabince,  to  which  our  genus 
belongs,  than  to  the  whole  family. 


34  MAMMALS. 

/.  ERETHIZON,  F.  Cuvier.    AMERICAN  PORCUPINES. 

1.  E.  dorsatus,  (L.)  F.  Cuvier.  WHITE-HAIRED  PORCU- 
PINE. Dark  brown,  spines  chiefly  white.  N.  Am.,  S.  to 
Mexico. 

FAMILY  XVL  — LEPORID.E. 

(The  Hares.) 

Incisors  f,  the  extra  pair  in  upper  jaw  small,  and 
placed  behind  the  principal  pair,  which  are  grooved  in 
front;  molars  f;f.  A  single  well-known  genus,  widely 
distributed. 

/.  LEPUS,  Linnasus.     HARES. 

*  Fur  white  in  winter. 

1.  L.  americanus,  Erxleben.    WHITE  RABBIT.    NORTH- 
ERN HARE.     Size   large;    hind   feet  longer  than  head; 
ears  about  equal  to  length  of  head;    fur,  in  summer, 
cinnamon   brown,    in   winter,  becoming   white,   at    the 
surface,  plumbeous  at  base,  with  a  broad  median  band 
of  reddish  brown.    Wooded  districts,  New  England  to 
Minn.,  and  S.  to  Va.,  along  the  Alleganies. 

**  Fur  never  white. 

2.  L.    sylvaticus,    Bachman.      GRAY    RABBIT.      Size 
small;  hind  feet  not  longer  than  head;    ears  two-thirds 
length  of  head;  gray  above,  varied  with  black,  and  more 
or  less  tinged  with  yellowish  brown;  below  white.    U.  S. 
eastward;    less    northerly    than    the    preceding.      Two 
Southern  species,  L.  palustris,  Bach.,  the  Marsh  Rabbit, 
and  L.  aquations,  Bach.,  the  Water  Rabbit,  abound  in 
S.  Ills.     (Nelson.) 


DLDELPHTDID^E. — XVII.  36 

OEDEB  F.-MAESUPIALIA. 

(The  Marsupials.) 

FAMILY  XVII.  —  DIPELPHIDHLE. 

(The  Opossums.) 

Marsupial  mammals  of  small  size,  with  the  teeth  i.  £ :£ , 
c.  ^,  pm.  f;f,  m.  J.J.  Feet  five  -toed,  plantigrade,  claws 
5-4.  Tail  usually  very  long,  nearly  naked,  covered  by  a 
scaly  skin,  with  a  few  scattered  hairs,  prehensile.  All 
the  species  are  American. 

/.  DIDELPHYS,  Linnaeus.     OPOSSUMS. 

1.  D.  virginiana,  Shaw.  COMMON  OPOSSUM.  Dirty 
white;  legs  dark;  L.  35;  T.  14.  N.  Y.  to  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, rather  southerly;  common. 


,'  A  i 


I' N  1  \'  KKSITY    <>i 

TALI:          MA. 


BIRDS. 


A  Bird  may  be  defined  as  an  air  -  breathing  vertebrate 
with  a  covering  of  feathers;  warm  blood;  a  complete 
double  circulation;  the  two  anterior  limbs  (wings) 
adapted  for  flying  or  swimming,  the  two  posterior  limbs 
(legs)  adapted  for  walking  or  swimming;  respiration 
never  effected  by  gills  or  branchiae,  but,  after  leaving 
the  egg,  by  lungs  -which  are  connected  with  air  cavities 
in  various  parts  of  the  body.  Reproduction  by  eggs, 
which  are  fertilized  within  the  body  and  hatched 
externally,  either  by  incubation  or  exposure  to  the  heat 
of  the  sun;  the  shell  calcareous,  hard  and  brittle. 

Much  more  might  be  added,  but  the  obvious  distinction 
is  this: — All  Birds  have  feathers,  and  no  other  animal 
has  feathers. 

The  classification  of  this  group,  as  of  most  others,  is 
still  in  an  unsettled  condition.  Strictly  speaking,  the 
existing  members  of  the  class  are  so  closely  related  that 
they  might,  with  propriety,  be  combined  into  one  order, 
which,  by  Prof.  Gill,  has  been  named  EUKHIPIDUKA.  At 
present,  however,  the  term  "  order  "  may  be  applied  to 
the  groups  so  designated  below,  without  thereby  implying 
any  such  structural  differences  as  exist  between  the 
"  orders  "  of  Reptiles  or  Fishes. 

We  now  proceed  to  an  artificial  key  to  the 

ORDERS  OF  BIRDS. 

*  Toes  3 :  two  in  front,  one  behind.        .        .        .       PXCABI^E,  H. 
**  Toes  3:  all  in  front;  toes  cleft  or  semipalmate.    LIMICOI^E,  M. 


BIRDS.  37 

***  Toes  4 :  two  in  front,  two  behind. 

Bill  cered  and  hooked.        .        .        .       PSITTACI,  I. 

Bill  lengthened,  not  cered  nor  hooked.    PICARLE,  H. 
****  Toes  4 :  three  in  front,  one  behind. 

I.  Toes  not  webbed  at  all,  cleft  to  the  base,  or  with  the  basal 

joints  immovably  coherent. 

a.  Hind  toe  inserted  on  a  level  with  the.  rest  and  generally 
longer  than  the  shortest  anterior  toe. 

b.  Claw  of  hind  toe  at  least  as  long  as  that  of  middle  toe. 

f  Bill  without  cere,  never  very  strongly  hooked;  outer 

toe  not  versatile PASSERES,  G. 

ff  Bill  with  cere,  strongly  hooked;    outer  toe  usually 
versatile ;  claws  very  sharp  and  strong.    RAPTORES,  J. 
bb.  Claw  of  hind  toe  shorter  than  that  of  middle  toe. 
\  Bill  stoutish ;  nostrils  opening  beneath  a  soft,  swollen 
membrane  (shrunken  in  drying).          COLUMB.E,  K. 
\\  Bill  tenuirostral,  very  slender;   secondaries  6,  very 
short.    Humming-birds.         .         .        PICARLE,  H. 
aa.  Hind  toe  elevated  above  the  level  of  the  rest,  and  usually 
shorter  than  the  others. 

c.  Bill  fissirostral  —  culmen  very  short,  but  gape  very  wide 

and  deep,  reaching  to  below  eyes.        .       PICARLE,  H. 
cc.  Bill  lengthened,  not  fissirostral. 
d.  First  primary  emarginate,  or  else  about  as  long  as 

second. LIMICOL<E,  M. 

dd.  First  primary  not  emarginate,  much  shorter    than 
second ALECTORIDES,  O. 

II.  Toes  syndactyle  —  without  webbing,  but  with  the  outer  and 

middle  toes  coherent  half  their  length.       .       PICARLE,  H. 

III.  Toes  semipalmate;  two  or  three  of  them  joined  at  base  only 
by  evident  movable  webbing. 

e.  Hind  toe  inserted  on  a  level  with  the  rest. 
f.  Tibia3  feathered  below. 
g.  Bill  cered  and  hooked ;  claws  sharp  and  strong. 

RAPTORES,  J. 

gg.  Bill  not  cered  and  hooked ;  nostrils  opening  beneath 
a  soft,  swollen  membrane.        .        .      COLUMB^E,  K. 


38  BIKDS. 

ff.  Tibiae  naked  below.         .       .       .         HERODIONES,  NY 
ee.  Hind  toe  inserted  above  the  level  of  the  rest,  and  usually 

shorter  than  any  of  the  others. 
h.  Tibiae  feathered  below. 
».  Nostrils  perforate ;  head  more  or  less  naked. 

RAPTORES,  J. 
u.  Nostrils  imperforate. 

.;.  Bill  fissirostral  —  gape  wide,  reaching  to  below  eye. 

PICARLE,  H. 

jj.  Bill  stout,  not  fissirostral ;  nostrils  scaled  or  feathered. 

GALLING,  L. 
Jih.  Tibiae  naked  below. 

k.  Nostrils  perforate.         .        .       .        ALECTORIDES,  O. 
kk.  Nostrils  imperforate. 

L  Head  bald ;  tarsus  reticulate.       .       HERODIONES,  N. 

II.  Head  feathered ;  tarsus  usually  scutellate. 

LlMICOL^,  M. 

IV.  Toes  lobate,  webbed  at  base    or   not,  but  conspicuously 

bordered  on  sides  by  plain  or  scalloped  membranes. 
m.  Tail  rudimentary;  legs  set  far  back.       .       PYGOPODES,  S. 
mm.  Tail  perfect;  a  horny  frontal  shield.       ALECTORIDES,  O. 
mmm.  Tail  perfect;  forehead  feathered,  without  horny  shield. 

LIMICOL^:,  M. 

V.  Toes  palmate ;  three  front  toes  full-webbed. 

n.  Bill  curved  upwards ;  legs  elongated.       .       LIMICOL.E,  M. 

nn.  Bill  lamellate,  mostly  flattish  and  furnished  at  tip  with  a 

decurved  nail.         .         .         .         LAMELLIROSTRES,  P. 

nnn.  Bill  not  recurved  nor  lamellate. 

o.  Hind  toe  not  lobate ;  wings  long  and  pointed ;   tail  well 

developed LONGIPENNES,  R. 

oo.  Hind  toe  lobate ;  wings  and  tail  short.       PYGOPODES,  S. 

VI.  Toes  totipalmate ;  all  four  full-webbed.    STEGANOPODES,  Q. 

G.    FAMILIES    OF  PASSERES. 

I.  Oscines.    Each  side  of  tarsus  covered  with  a  plate,  undivided 
in  most  of  its  length  and  meeting  its  fellow  in  a  sharp  ridge 


BIRDS.  39 

behind  ( in  a  few  cases,  back  of  tarsus  without  ridge,  and  formed 
of  a  few  scutella3  distinct  from  those  lapping  over  the  front ) ;  first 
primary  short,  spurious  or  wanting,  if  present,  not  more  than 
two-thirds  of  the  longest ;  musical  apparatus  highly  developed. 
*  Primaries  10 ;  the  first  short  or  spurious. 
f  Tarsus  booted ;  rictus  with  bristles. 
a.  Middle  toe  quite  free  from  inner;  birds  ot  moderate  size, 

length  more  than  6. 

6.  Wings  moderate,  not  reaching  when  folded  beyond  the 
middle  of  tail,  and  not  more  than  one-third  longer 
than  tail ;  tip  of  wing  formed  by  3d  to  6th  quill ;  no 

blue TURDID.E,  18. 

6&.  Wings  veiy  long,  pointed,  reaching  beyond  middle  of 

tail,  and  more  than  half  longer;  tip  of  wing  formed 

by  2d  to  4th  quills ;  ours  chiefly  blue.    SAXICOLID^E,  19. 

aa.  Middle  and  inner  toes  connected  at  base ;  small,  length 

less  than  5 SYLVIID.E,  20. 

ff  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front. 

c.  Nostrils  concealed  by  tufts  of  antrorse,  bristly  feathers. 
d.  First  primary  not  more  than  half  length  of  second ;  bill 

not  notched ;  length  less  than  8. 
e.  Bill  as  long  as  head ;  wings  pointed,  much  longer  than 

tail SiTTnxE,  22. 

ee.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head ;  wings  about  as  long  as 

tail PARITY,  21. 

dd.  First  primary  more  than  half  length  of  second ;   bill 
usually  notched,  the  bristly  nasal  feathers  branched  to 
their  tips ;  large,  length  more  than  8.        CORVID.E,  35. 
cc.  Nostrils  exposed  (rarely  slightly  overhung). 
/.  Bill  distinctly  notched  near  its  tip,  often  hooked. 

g.  Tail  longer  than  wings ;  general  color  gray  or  ashy- 
brown. 

h.  Bill  very  stout,  compressed,  strongly  notched,  toothed 
and  abruptly  hooked  at  tip ;  large,  length  8  to  9. 

LAJS~IID,£,  32. 

hh.  Bill  more  slender,  not  deeply  notched  nor  abruptly 
hooked ;  length  8  to  10.        .        .      TURDHXE,  18. 


40  BIRDS. 

Mh.  Bill  very  slender,  not  strongly  notched  nor  hooked ; 
small,  length  4  to  5.         .          .         SYLVIID.E,  20. 
gg.  Tail  shorter  than  wings ;   general  color  olivaceous ; 
bill  stout,  notched  and  hooked ;  length  4£  to  6i. 

VIREONKLE,  31. 
ff.  Bill  not  at  all  notched. 

i.  Rictus  with  bristles ;  quills  not  barred,  the  tail  longer 

than  wings ;  large,  length  9  or  more.     TURDID^E,  18. 

ii.  No  rictal  bristles ;  wings  and  tail  barred  or  undulated, 

usually  about  equal  in  length,  the  latter  of  rounded 

feathers ;  small,  length  6  or  less. 

TROGLODYTUX^E,  24. 

Hi.  No  rictal  bristles ;  tail  about  as  long  as  wings,  scan- 

sorial, —  its  feathers  rigid  and  acute,  not  barred;  bill 

long,  decurved;  length  5  to  6.      .      CERTHIID.E,  23. 

**  Primaries  9 ;  the  first  about  as  long  as  second. 

J  Bill  fissirostral,  —  triangular,  depressed,  about  as  wide  at  base 

as  long ;  its  wide,  deep  gape  twice  as  long  as  the  culmen, 

reaching  to  opposite  the  eyes;   no  rictal  bristles;  wings 

very  long  and  pointed.        .        .        .       HTRUNDINID^E,  29. 

ft  Bill  tanagrine,  —  stout,  conic,  its  outlines  convex,  the  tornia 

with  one  or  more  lobes  or  nicks  near  the  middle ;  nostrils 

very  high ;  plumage  brilliant,  chiefly  red  (<$)  or  yellow  (?). 

TANAGRID.E,  28. 

\\\  Bill  conirostral,  —  stout  at  base,  and  more  or  less  conic; 

nostrils  high  up ;  tomia  more  or  less  evidently  angulated 

near  the  base  (i.  e.,  "  corners  of  mouth  drawn  downward." ) 

j.  Bill  truly  conic,  much   shorter  than   the  head,  usually 

notched  at  tip,  or  with  bristles  at  the  rictus. 

FRINGILLTIXE,  33. 

jj.  Bill  conic,  but  lengthened  more  or  less,  about  as  long  as 
head  (except  in  Dolichonyx  and  Molothrus,  the  Bob-c- 
link and  Cowbird) ;  no  notch  at  the  tip  or  bristles  at  the 

rictus ICTERID^E,  34. 

\\\\  Bill  not  as  above,  with  the  tomia  straight,  or  very  gently 

curved. 

k.  Conspicuously  crested ;  bill  triangular,  depressed,  notched, 
and  hooked;  tail  tipped  with  yellow;  secondaries  (in 
full  plumage)  with  red,  horny  tips.  .  AMPELID^,  30. 


BIRDS.  41 

kk.  Nostrils  concealed  by  bristly  feathers ;  tarsus  scutellate 
behind;  hind  claw  long  and  nearly  straight;  inner 
secondaries  lengthened.  .  .  .  ALAUDHXE,  25. 

kkk.  No  crest ;  nostrils  exposed ;  tarsus  strictly  "  oscine." 

I.  Hind  claw  much  elongated,  twice  as  long  as  middle  claw, 

with  its  toe  much  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw; 
bill  very  slender;  longest  secondary  nearly  equal  to 
primaries  in  closed  wing.  .  MOTACILLUXE,  26. 

II.  Hind  claw  not  specially  elongated,  not  twice  as  long  as 

middle  claw ;  inner  secondaries  not  lengthened. 

m.  Bill  stout,  compressed,  notched,  and  abruptly  hooked 

at  tip;  general  color  olivaceous,  tail  not  blotched 

with  white  or  yellow.        .        .        VIREONID^;,  31. 

mm.  Bill  various,  notched  or  not,  but  little,  if  at  all, 

hooked ;  colors  often  brilliant.       SYLVICOLID^,  27. 

II.  Clamatores.    Outside  of  tarsus  covered  with  a  series  of  plates 

variously  arranged,  lapping  entirely  around  in  front  and 

behind  to  meet  in  a  groove  on  the  inner  side ;  primaries  10. 

n.  First  primary  lengthened,  often  longest,  always  more  than  £ 

length  of  the  longest;  bill  broad,  depressed,  tapering  to  a 

point  which  is  abruptly  hooked ;  rictal  bristles  numerous ; 

nostrils  overhung  but  not  concealed ;  tail  not  tipped  with 

yellow.  ....        TYRANNIC  36. 

H,    FAMILIES  OF  PICAKLE. 

I.  Feet  zygodactyle  (two  toes  in  front,  two  behind)  by  reversion 

of  outer  toe;  (hallux  wanting  in  Picoides.) 

a.  Tail  scansorial,  of  12  rigid,  acuminate  feathers,  of  which  the 
outer  pair  are  short  and  concealed;  bill  stout  and  straight; 
nasal  tufts  usually  developed.  .  .  .  PicnxE,  42. 

aa.  Tail  not  scansorial,  of  8  to  10  long,  soft  feathers ;  bill  de- 
curved  ;  no  nasal  tufts CUCULTIXE,  41. 

II.  Feet  syndactyle,  by  cohesion  of  outer  and  middle  toes ;  tibia3 

naked  below;  bill  stout  and  straight,  longer  than  head. 

ALCEDINHXE,  40. 

III.  Feet  neither  zygodactyle  nor  syndactyle;  wings  long  and 
pointed. 


42  BIRDS, 

b.  Bill  tenuirostral,  very  slender,  much  longer  than  head ;  secon- 
daries very  short,  6  in  number ;  plumage  compact. 

TROCHILID^E,  39. 
bb.  Bill  flssirostral,  much  shorter  than  head ;  secondaries  more 

than  6. 

c.  Rictal   bristles  present;  middle  claw  pectinate;   plumage 
lax,  variegated ;  length  8  or  more.       CAPRIMULGID^E,  37. 
cc.  No  rictal  bristles ;   plumage  compact,  of  blended  colors ; 
tail  leathers  (in  ours)  spiuous ;  length  6  or  less. 

CYPSELID^E,  38. 

I.    FAMILIES  OF  PSITTACI. 

1.  Cere  feathered,  concealing  the  nostrils;  plumage  coarse  and 
dry,  chiefly  green ARID^E,  43. 

J.    FAMILIES  OF  RAPTORES. 

I.  Hind  toe  on  a  level  with  the  rest,  more  than  half  length  of 

outer  toe,  and  with  a  large  claw;  claws  strong,  sharp,  much 
curved;  nostrils  iinperforate ;  head  mostly  feathered;  bill 
strongly  hooked. 

a.  Eyes  directed  forwards  in  consequence  of  the  great  lateral 

expansion  of  the  cranium,  and  surrounded  by  a  disk  of 

radiating  bristly  feathers,         .        .        .        STRIGID^E,  44. 

aa.  Eyes  lateral ;  no  complete  facial  disk.      .     FALCONID^E,  45. 

II.  Hind  toe  elevated,  not  more  than  half  length  of  outer  toe; 

claws  weak  and  little  curved ;  nostrils  perforate ;  head  mostly 
naked ;  bill  little  hooked.  .  .  .  CATHARTID/E,  46. 

K.    FAMILIES  OF  COLUMB.E. 

I.  Head  small,  feathered  (except  sometimes  a  circumorbital  ring); 
feathers  loosely  inserted,  .  .  .  COLUMBHXE,  47. 

L.    FAMILIES  OF  GALLING. 

I.  Head  unfeathered,  with  wattles  and  caruncles ;  a  tuft  of  bristly 
feathers  on  breast ;  tarsus  spurred  in  $  •  plumage  iridescent ; 
large,  36  or  more MELEAGRTD^E,  48. 

IL  Head  feathered  •,  plumage  not  iridescent ;  size  much  smaller, 


BIEDS.  43 

Tarsus  partly  or  entirely  feathered,  as  is  also  the  nasal 
groove ;  sides  of  neck  usually  with  bare  skin  or  pecul- 
iar feathers TETRAONIIXE,  49. 

Tarsus  and  nasal  groove  imfeathered ;  no  peculiar  feathers 
on  neck PEKDICID^E,  50. 

M.    FAMILIES  OF  LIMICOL^E. 

I.  Toes  lobate ;  tarsus  notably  compressed ;  body  depressed. 

PHALAROPODUXE,  54. 

II.  Toes  not  lobate ;  tarsus  not  specially  compressed. 

*  Legs  exceedingly  long;  tarsus  as  long  as  tail;  bill  much 
longer  than  head,  slender,  acute,  and  curved  upwards ;  feet 
4-toed  and  palmate,  or  3-toed  and  semipalmate. 

RECURVIROSTRID.E,  53. 

**  Bill  usually  shorter  than  head,  pigeon-like,  the  broad,  soft 
base  separated  by  a  constriction  from  the  hard  tip ;  head 
sub-globose,  on  a  short  neck;  tarsus  reticulate;  toes  3 
(except  in  Squatarola).  .  .  .  CHARADRIID^:,  51. 

***  Bill  usually  longer  than  head,  mostly  grooved,  not  con- 
stricted, softish  to  its  tip ;  tarsus  scutellate ;  toes  4  (except 
in  Calidris) SCOLOPACID^,  55. 

****  Not  as  above;  bill  hard,  either  compressed  and  truncate, 
or  acute ;  feet  4-toed  and  cleft,  or  3-toed  and  semipalmate. 

HJSMATOPODUXE,  52. 

N.    FAMILIES  OF  HERODIONES. 

I.  Bill  long,  straight,  acute ;  middle  claw  pectinate.    ARDEID^E,  56. 

II.  Bill  curved  downwards,  or  else  flat  and  spoon-shaped. 

TANTALUM,  57. 

0.    FAMILIES  OF  ALECTORIDES. 

I.  Very  large ;  length  36  or  more,  with  excessively  long  neck  and 

legs ;  toes  shorter  than  tarsus ;  bill  contracted  at  the  middle. 

GRUID.E,  58. 

II.  Smaller,  length  18  or  less,  with  comparatively  short  neck  and 

legs ;  toes  as  long  as  tarsus ;  bill  not  contracted. 

RALLIDJE,  59, 


44  BIRDS. 

P.    FAMILIES  OF  LAMELLIROSTRES. 

I.  Neck  and  legs  moderate;  tibiae  feathered;  bill  not  decurved. 

ANATID^E,  60. 
Q.    FAMILIES  OF  STEGANOPODES. 

I.  Bill  longer  than  tail,  many  times  longer  than  head,  with  the 

gular  pouch  enormous;  wings  long.       .      PELECANID^E,  61. 

II.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  shorter  than  tail,  which  is  fan- 

shaped,  of  rigid  feathers ;  wings  short. 

PHALACROCORACnXE,  62. 

R.    FAMILIES  OF  LONGIPENNES. 

I.  Nostrils  not  tubular,  perforate ;  bill  with  a  continuous  covering. 

LARID^E,  63. 

S.    FAMILIES  OF  PYGOPODES. 

I.  Feet  palmate ;  tail  developed ;  head  closely  feathered. 

COLYMBID^E,  64 

II.  Feet  lobate;  tail  undeveloped;  head  usually  with  naked  loral 

strip  and  peculiar  feathers.        .        .        .      PODICIPID^J,  65. 


OEDER  G.-PASSEEES. 

( Passerine  Birds.) 

Toes  always  4;  feet  fitted  for  perching;  the  hind  toe 
always  on  a  level  with  the  rest,  its  claw  at  least  as  long 
as  that  of  middle  toe,  and  often  much  longer;  joints  of 
toes  respectively  2,  3,  4,  5,  from  first  to  fourth;  toes 
never  versatile;  wing  coverts  comparatively  few,  chiefly 
in  two  series.  Tail  feathers  12,  primaries  9  or  10. 
Musical  apparatus  more  or  less  developed.  Sternum  of 
a  certain  uniform  pattern.  Nature  altricial. 

This  group  comprises  the  great  majority  of  all  Birds, 
and  they  represent  the  "  highest  grade  of  development, 
and  the  most  complex  organization  of  the  class;  their 


TUBDID^E. — XVIII.  45 

high  physical  irritability  is  co-ordinate  with  the  rapidity 
of  their  respiration  and  circulation;  they  consume  the 
most  oxygen  and  live  the  fastest  of  all  birds."  (Coues.) 

FAMILY  XVIIL— TURDID^E. 

(Tlie  Thruslies.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  short  or  spurious;  bill  generally 
rather  long,  not  conical,  usually  with  a  slight  notch  near 
the  tip ;  nostrils  oval,  not  concealed,  but  nearly  or  quite 
reached  by  the  bristly  frontal  feathers;  rictus  with 
bristles,  which  are  well  developed  in  most  of  our  species; 
tarsus  in  typical  species,  "booted,"  t.e.9  enveloped  in  a 
continuous  plate,  formed  by  the  fusion  of  all  the  scutellae 
except  two  or  three  of  the  lowest;  in  other  species  dis- 
tinctly scutellate.  Toes  deeply  cleft,  the  inner  one  free, 
the  outer  united  to  the  middle  one,  not  more  than  half 
the  length  of  the  first  basal  joint. 

A  large  family  of  more  than  two  hundred  species, 
found  in  most  parts  of  the  world,  and  embracing  quite  a 
wide  variety  of  forms.  Nearly  all  of  them  are  remark- 
able for  their  vocal  powers.  Their  food  consists  of 
insects  and  soft  fruits. 

Our  species  fall  into  three  strongly  marked  sub-families, 
of  which  the  Mimince  have  been  often  associated  with 
the  Wrens,  and  the  MyiadestincB  with  the  Wax  Wings. 

I.  The  TURDIN^E,  or  Typical  Thrushes,  have  the  tarsus 
booted,  the  first  primary  spurious,  and  the  wings  longer 
than  the  tail.  They  build  rather  rude  nests,  sometimes 
plastered  with  mud,  and  they  lay  four  to  six  greenish  or 
bluish  eggs,  either  plain  or  speckled.  All  sing  well,  and 
some  of  them  most  exquisitely.  Our  species  are  usually 
referred  to  the  typical  genus,  Turdus^  but  we  have  here 
separated  the  Wood  Thrushes,  as  a  group  of  full  generic 


46  BIRDS. 

value  (Hylocichla\  as  suggested  by  Prof.  Baird.     (Hist. 
N.  Am.  Birds,  page  4.) 

II.  The    MIMING,    or   Mocking   Thrushes,   have   the 
tarsus  scutellate  (sometimes  booted  in  Galeoscoptes),  the 
first  primary  scarcely  spurious;  the  rictal  bristles  better 
developed,  and  the  tail  relatively  longer,  in  our  species 
longer  than  the  wings.     These  birds  have  a  brilliant  and 
varied  song,  but  all  of  them  are  plainly  clad.     All  are 
American. 

III.  MYIADESTIN^E,  the  Fly- Catching  Thrushes,  have 
been  usually  associated  with  the  Ampelidce,  but  their 
affinities  are  rather  with  the  thrushes,  as  Prof.  Baird  has 
shown.     All  are  American, — the  single  species  within 
our  limits  is  a  rare  straggler  from  the  West. 

*  Tarsus  booted ;  wiugs  longer  than  tail.    (TURDDLE.) 
f  Breast  spotted ;  length  8£,  or  less.        .        .       HYLOCTCHLA,  1. 
ff  Breast  unspotted ;  ( in  ours)  reddish  or  banded  with  black ; 

length  9i,  or  more TURDUS,  2. 

**  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  (scutella  rarely  obsolete) ;  wings  (in 

ours)  shorter  than  tail.    (  MIMING.) 

|  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  sometimes  much  longer,  straight 
or  curved,  not  notched.         .        .        HARPORHYNCHUS,  3. 
tt  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  notched  at  tip. 
a.  Tarsus  distinctly  scutellate ;   ours  ashy,  with  black  and 

white MIMUS,  4. 

aa.  Tarsus  feebly  scutellate ;  plumage  lead-colored ;  crissum 

chestnut-red GALEOSCOPTES,  5. 

***  Tarsus  booted ;  wings  about  equal  to  tail;  bill  short,  much 
depressed,  notched  and  hooked ;  color  ashy.    (MYIADESTIN^E.) 

MYIADESTES,  6. 

/.  HYLOCICHLA,  Baird.    WOOD  THRUSHES. 

<  Turdus,  Linn. 

1.  H.  muste/ina,  (Gm.)  Bd.  WOOD  THRUSH.   Cinnamon 
brown,  brightest  on  the  head,  shading  into  olive  on  the 


TUBDID^E. — XVIII.  47 

rump;  breast  with  large,  very  distinct  dusky  spots;  L. 
8;  W.  4i;  T.  3.  E.  U.  S.,  in  woodland;  our  largest  and 
handsomest  thrush.  An  exquisite  songster. 

2.  H.  pallasi,  (Cab.)  Bd.     HERMIT   THRUSH.      Olive 
brown  above,  becoming  rufous  on  rump  and  tail;  breast 
with  numerous,  rather  distinct,  dusky  spots;  a  whitish 
orbital  ring;   L.  7;  W.  3J;   T.  2-J.      N.  Am.,  migrating 
early. 

3.  H.  swainsoni,  (Cab.)  Bd.     OLIVE -BACKED  THRUSH. 
SWAINSON'S  THRUSH.     Uniform  olive  above;  breast  and 
throat   thickly    marked    with  large,   dusky  olive   spots; 
breast  and  sides  of  head  strongly  buffy- tinted;  a  con- 
spicuous buffy  orbital  ring;  L.  7£;  W.  4;  T.  3.     N.  Am. 

4.  H.  alicicB,  Baird.    GRAY  CHEEKED  THRUSH.    ALICE 
THRUSH.      Similar    to   the    preceding,   of    which    it    is 
probably  a  variety,  but  without  ring  about  eye,  or  any 
buffy   tint    about    head.      E.    N.   Am.,    ranging    more 
northerly. 

5.  H.   fuscescens,   (Steph.)   Bd.      TAWNY    THRUSH. 
WILSON'S   THRUSH.     VEERY.      Uniform   tawny   above; 
breast  and   throat    washed    with    brownish    or    pinkish 
yellow,  and  marked  with  small  indistinct  brownish  spots; 
L.   ?£;    W.  4i;    T.  3f      E.   N.  Am.,  frequent,   a   fine 
songster. 

2.   TURDUS,  Linnaeus.     THRUSHES. 

*  Sexes  similar;  breast  not  spotted  nor  banded;  throat  streaked; 

bill  notched.     (Planesticus,  Bon.) 

1.  T.  migratorius,  L.   ROBIX.   AMERICAN  RED  BREAST. 
Olive  gray  above;  head  and  tail  blackish;  throat  white, 
with  black  streaks;  under  parts  chestnut  brown;  L.  9f ; 
W.  54-;  T.  4£.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 
**  Sexes  unlike ;  throat  unstreaked ;  male  with  a  black  collar;  bill 

not  notched.    (Hesperocichla,  Bd.) 


48  BIRDS. 

2.  T.  nceviuSf  Gm.  OREGON  ROBIN.  VARIED  THRUSH. 
Slate  color,  orange  brown  below;  L.  9f;  W.  5;  T.  4. 
Pacific  slope,  accidental  in  Mass.,  N.  J.,  and  L.  I. 

3.  HARPORHYNCHUS,  Cabanis.     MOCKING  THRUSHES. 

1.  H.  rufusr  (L.)  Cab.  BROWN  THRUSH.  SANDY 
MOCKING  BIRD.  THRASHER.  Cinnamon  red  above; 
lower  parts  thickly  spotted;  bill  nearly  straight,  shorter 
and  much  less  curved  than  in  many  other  Harporhynchi, 
five  species  of  which  occur  in  the  U.  S.  beyond  the 
Rocky  Mountains;  L.  11;  W.  4;  T.  5£.  E.  U.  S., 
abundant.  A  brilliant  songster. 

4.  Jiff  f  Jiff  US,  Boie.     MOCKING  BIRDS. 

1.  Jiff,  polyglottus,  (L.)  Boie.  MOCKING  BIRD.  Ashy 
brown  above;  wings  blackish,  with  white  wing  bars; 
tail  blackish,  outer  feathers  white;  L.  9J;  W.  4J;  T.  5. 
U.  S.,  chiefly  southerly;  N.  to  Mass.,  Iowa,  etc.  A 
renowned  songster. 

5.  GALEOSCOPTES,  Cabanis.     CAT  BIRDS. 
<  Mimus,  Boie. 

1.  G.  carolinensis,  (L.)  Cab.  CAT  BIRD.  Dark  slate 
color;  crown  and  tail  black;  crissum  brownish  chestnut; 
L.  8f;  W.  3f ;  T.  4.  U.  S.,  every  where. 

6.  MYIADESTES,  Swainson.     FLY  -  CATCHING  THRUSHES. 

1.  Jiff,  townsendi,  (Aud.)  Cab.  TOWNSEND'S  SOLITAIRE. 
Ashy  gray,  paler  below;  wing  bands  buify;  tail  blackish; 
whitish  ring  about  eye;  young  with  reddish  spots;  L.  8; 
W.  4J;  T.  4J.  Rocky  Mountains  and  westward,  straying 
E.  to  Chicago.  (Nelson.)  An  exquisite  songster. 


SYLVIID^E. — XX.  49 

FAMILY  XIX.  — SAXICOLIDJE. 

(The  Stone  Cfaits.) 

Characters  similar  to  those  of  the  Thrushes,  but  the 
wings  longer  and  very  much  pointed,  reaching,  when 
folded,  beyond  the  middle  of  the  short  tail.  Tarsus 
"booted;"  first  primary  spurious.  A  family  scarcely 
distinct  from  Turdidce,  of  about  twelve  genera  and  one 
hundred  species.  They  are  chiefly  Old  World  birds,  but 
two  genera  occurring  in  America.  Ours  are  rather  small 
(less  than  seven),  with  oval  nostrils  and  bristles  about 
the  rictus. 

*  Chiefly  or  partly  blue ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and 
claw;  bill  stout SIALIA,  1. 

/.  SIALIA,  Swainson.     BLUE  BIRDS. 

1.  S.  sialis,  (L.)  Haldeman.      COMMON   BLUE  BIRD. 
Bright   blue   above,  throat  and   breast   reddish   brown, 
belly  white;    $  usually  duller  with  a  brownish  tinge  on 
back;  young,  as  in  others,  spotted;  L.  6f ;  W.  4;  T.  3. 
E.  N.  Am.,  abundant;  breeds  every  where. 

2.  S.  mexicana,  Sw.    WESTERN  BLUE  BIRD.     Head, 
neck  all  around  and  upper  parts  generally,  blue;  back 
with  more  or  less  chestnut;    breast  and  sides  reddish 
brown,  otherwise  bluish   below;    size  of  last.      Pacific 
Slope,  E.  to  Iowa  (accidental.) 

3.  S.   arctica,  Sw.      ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  BLUE   BIRD. 
Rich   greenish   blue;    belly   white;     $    with   pale  drab, 
instead  of  blue,  on  breast,  etc.;  size  of  others,  or  smaller. 
Central  Table  lands  chiefly,  E.  to  Missouri  R. 

FAMILY  XX.  — SYLVIIDJE. 

(The  Sylvias.) 

Primaries  10,   the    first    short   but   scarcely  spurious. 
Bill  slender,  depressed  at  base,  notched  and  decurved  at 
3 


50  BIRDS. 

tip.  Rictal  bristles  conspicuous;  nostrils  oval,  over- 
hung by  a  few  bristles  or  a  feather.  Tarsus  booted  or 
scutellate.  Basal  joint  of  middle  toe  attached  its  whole 
length  externally,  half  way  internally.  A  large  family 
of  nearly  six  hundred  species  of  small  birds,  chiefly  of 
the  Old  World,  where  they  take  the  place  filled  in 
America  by  the  Sylvicolidce.  To  this  family  belongs 
the  European  nightingale.  Our  species  fall  into  two 
sub  -  families,  Hegulince  and  Polioptilince^  each  repre- 
sented by  its  typical  genus. 

*  Tarsus  booted ;  wings  longer  than  tail.  .  ,  REGULUS,  1. 
**  Tarsus  scutellate ;  wings  not  longer  than  tail.  POLIOPTILA,  2. 

1.   REGULUS,  Cuvier.     KINGLETS. 

1.  R.  satrapa,  Licht.     GOLDEN -CROAVNED   KINGLET. 
Olivaceous;  crown  with  a  yellow  patch,  bordered  with 
black,  orange    red    in    the    center  in  <J;    extreme   fore- 
head and  line  over  eye,  whitish;  vague  dusky  blotch  at 
base  of  secondaries;  a  tiny  feather  over  each  nostril;  L. 
4;  W.  2i;  T.  If.     N.  Am. 

2.  R.  calendula,  (L.)  Licht.    RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET. 
Olivaceous;   crown  with  a  scarlet  patch  in  both  sexes, 
wanting  the  first  year;  no  black  about  head;    no  nasal 
feather;  L.  4^;  W.  2£;  T.  If.     N.  Am. 

2.  POLIOPTILA,  Sclater.     GNAT  CATCHERS. 

1.  P.  ccerulea,  (L.)  Sclater.  BLUE -GRAY  GNAT 
CATCHER.  Clear  ashy  blue,  brightest  on  head;  whitish 
below;  $  with  forehead  and  sides  of  crown  black;  outer 
tail  feathers  chiefly  white;  L.  4£;  W.  2;  T.  2J.  U.  S., 
chiefly  southerly;  N.  to  Mass,  and  L.  Mich.  Noticeable 
for  its  sprightly  ways  and  squeaky  voice,  "  like  a  mouse 
with  the  toothache;  "  but  really  a  fine  singer. 


.  —  XXI.  51 


FAMILY  XXI.  —  PARID^E. 

(The  Titmice.) 

Primaries  10,  first  short;  wings  rounded;  not  longer 
than  the  rounded  tail.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  not 
notched  nor  decurved  at  the  tip;  loral  feathers  bristly, 
and  nostrils  concealed  by  dense  tufts.  Tarsus  scutellate, 
longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw.  Toes  much  soldered 
at  base,  widened  beneath  into  a  sort  of  palm.  Plumage 
lax,  little  variable. 

Small  birds,  less  than  seven  inches  long,  resembling 
the  Jays  in  several  respects,  restless,  noisy,  and  scarcely 
migratory.  Species  seventy-five  or  more,  chiefly  of  the 
Northern  hemisphere,  and  abounding  in  both  continents. 
*  Conspicuously  crested  ;  chiefly  lead  gray,  paler  below. 

LOPHOPHANES,  1. 

**  Not  crested  ;  crown,  chin  and  throat  black  or  brown.    PARUS,  2. 

/.  LOPHOPHANES,  Kaup.     TUFTED  TITMICE. 

1.  L.  bicolor,  (L.)  Bon.  TUFTED  TITMOUSE.  Fore- 
head alone  black;  whitish  below;  sides  washed  with 
reddish;  L.  6£;  W.  3±;  T.  3J.  E.  U.  S.,  southerly;  N. 
to  L.  I.  and  L.  Mich.;  abundant  in  woodland  and 
remarkable  for  its  loud,  ringing  notes.  Three  other 
species  occur  in  the  S.  W. 

2.  PARUS,  Linnaeus.     CHICKADEES. 

1.  P.  atricapillus,  L.  TITMOUSE.  BLACK  -CAPPED 
CHICKADEE.  Grayish  ash;  wings  and  tail  plain  with 
whitish  edging;  crown,  nape,  chin  and  throat  black; 
no  white  superciliary  line;  L.  5;  W.  2£;  T.  2f  N.  Am.; 
abundant. 

Var.  carolinensis,  (Aud.)  Coues.  SOUTHERN  CHICKA- 
DEE. Smaller;  tail  feathers  not  noticeably  white-edged. 
E.  U.  S.;  southerly. 


52  BIRDS. 

2.  P.  hudsonicus,  Forster.  HUDSONIAN  CHICKADEE. 
Olive  brown;  crown  browner;  some  pale  chestnut  below; 
no  white  superciliary  line;  L.  5;  W.  2£;  T.  2f.  British 
America;  S.  to  Mass. 

FAMILY  XXII.— SITTID^E. 

(The  Nuthatches.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  spurious.  Wings  long  and 
pointed,  much  longer  than  the  broad  soft  tail.  Bill  not 
notched,  rather  slender,  straight,  nearly  as  long  as  head. 
Loral  feathers  bristly;  nostrils  concealed  by  dense  tufts. 
Tarsus  scutellate,  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 
Tongue  acute,  barbed.  Body  depressed;  plumage  lax, 
but  less  so  than  that  of  the  Titmice.  Active,  nimble 
little  birds,  running  up  and  down  trees,  and  hanging  in 
every  conceivable  attitude,  the  head  down  as  often  as 
up.  Species  twenty-five  or  thirty,  in  most  parts  of  the 
world. 

/.  SITTA,  Linnaeus.     NUTHATCHES. 

1.  S.  carolinensis,  Gm.     WHITE  -  BELLIED  NUTHATCH. 
"  SAP  SUCKER."    Ashy  blue  above,  white  below;  crissum, 
etc.,  washed  with  rusty  brown;  crown  and  nape  black, 
unstriped;    middle   tail    feathers  like  the  back,  others 
black,  blotched  with  white;  $  with  less  or  no  black  on 
the  head;   L.  5J;  W.  3£;  T.  2.     U.  S.;  abundant  every 
where. 

2.  S.  canadensis,  L.   RED  -  BELLIED  NUTHATCH.   Ashy 
blue,  brighter  than  the  preceding,  rusty  brown  below; 
crown  glossy  black  (<$),  or  bluish  ($),  bordered  by  white 
and  black  stripes;   L.  4J-;    W.  2|;   T.  1J.     U.  S.,  and 
northward. 

3.  S.    pusilla,    Lath.      BEOWN-  HEADED    NUTHATCH. 
Ashy  blue;  crown  clear  brown,  a  whitish  spot  on  nape, 


TROGLODYTID.E. — XXIV.  53 

pale  rusty  below.     L.  4;  W.  2J;  T.  1£.     South  Atlantic 
States. 

FAMILY  XXIII.  — CERTHIID^E. 

(Creepers.} 

Primaries  10,  first  less  than  half  second.  Bill  slender, 
as  long  as  head;  without  notch  or  bristles,  decurved. 
Tarsus  scutellate,  shorter  than  middle  toe.  Claws  all 
very  long,  curved  and  compressed.  Wings  about  as  long 
as  tail;  tail  feathers  pointed,  with  stiffened  shafts,  almost 
wood  -  pecker  like,  and  used  for  support  in  the  same  way. 
A  small  family  of  a  dozen  species,  widely  distributed. 
Habits  similar  to  those  of  the  Nuthatches,  but  the  voice 
different,  being  small  and  fine.  (The  above  diagnosis 
does  not  strictly  apply  to  some  foreign  birds  usually 
placed  in  this  family.) 

/.  CERTHIA,  Linnaeus.    BROWX  CREEPERS. 

1.  C.  familiar  is,  Linn.  BROWN  CREEPER.  Plumage 
dark  brown,  much  barred  and  streaked;  rump  clear 
tawny;  L.  5|;  W.  2f ;  T.  2f.  N.  Am.  and  Europe.  A 
curious  little  bird,  recognizable  at  once  by  the  scansorial 
tail. 

FAMILY  XXIV.  — TROGLODYTID^E. 
( T7ie  Wrens.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  short  but  hardly  spurious. 
Wings  rounded,  usually  about  as  long  as  the  graduated 
tail.  Bill  more  or  less  slender,  usually  elongated,  not 
notched  in  any  of  our  species.  Nostrils  oval,  unbristled, 
overhung  by  a  scale -like  membrane.  No  rictal  bristles. 
Loral  feathers  bristly.  Tarsus  scutellate.  Lateral  toes 
nearly  equal;  middle  toe  usually  united  to  half  the  basal 
joint  of  inner  toe,  and  to  the  whole  of  the  basal  joint  of 
the  outer,  or  more.  Quills  barred  in  most  of  our  species. 


54  BIRDS. 

A  large  family  of  small  birds,  chiefly  belonging  to 
Tropical  America.  Genera  about  sixteen;  species  one 
hundred  or  more.  "  Our  species  are  sprightly,  fearless 
and  impudent  little  creatures,  apt  to  show  bad  temper 
when  they  fancy  themselves  aggrieved  by  cats  or  people, 
or  any  thing  else  that  is  big  or  unpleasant  to  them;  they 
quarrel  a  good  deal,  and  are  particularly  spiteful  towards 
martins  and  swallows,  whose  homes  they  often  invade 
and  occupy.  Their  song  is  bright  and  hearty,  and  they 
are  fond  of  their  own  music;  when  disturbed  at  it  they 
make  a  great  ado  with  noisy  scolding.  Part  of  them 
(Cistothorus)  live  in  reedy  swamps  and  marshes,  where 
they  hang  astonishingly  big  globular  nests,  with  a  little 
hole  on  one  side,  on  tufts  of  rushes,  and  lay  six  or  eight 
dark  colored  eggs;  the  others  nest  any  where."  (Dr. 
Cones.')  They  are  all  plainly  colored,  being  chiefly 
brown.  All  are  insectivorous,  and  most  of  them 
migratory. 

*  Back  nearly  uniform  in  color,  a  conspicuous  white  superciliary 

line;  outstretched  feet  falling  far  short  of  end  of  tail. 

THRYOTHORUS,  1. 

**  Back  barred  crosswise,  sometimes  obscurely  so ;  no  conspicu- 
ous superciliary  line;  bill  shorter  than  head;  hind  claw 
shorter  than  toe, 

f  Tail  about  as  long  as  wings.        .        .        .     TROGLODYTES,  2. 

ff  Tail  much  shorter  than  wings.        .         .         ANORTHURA,  3. 

***  Back  streaked  lengthwise,  at  least  on  shoulders;   hind  claw 

as  long  as  the  toe ;  tail  barred.        .        .        CISTOTHORUS,  4. 

/.   THRYOTHORUS,  Vieillot.    MOCKING  WRENS. 

*  Tail  not  longer  than  wings,  its  feathers  reddish  brown  with  fine 

black  bars.     ( Thryotlwrus.} 

1.  T.  ludovicianus,  (Gm.)  Bon.  CAROLINA  WREN. 
Clear  reddish  brown,  brightest  on  rump;  tawny  below; 


TROGLODYTLD^E. — XXIV.  55 

L.  6;  W.  2J;  T.  2J.  E.  U.  S.,  southerly;  N.  to  Perm.; 
not  migratory.  A  remarkable  singer. 
**  Tail  longer  than  wings,  its  feathers  mostly  black.  (Thryomanes.) 
2.  T.  bewickii,  (And.)  Bon.  BEWICK'S  WREN.  Grayish 
brown;  two  middle  tail  feathers  barred;  L.  5£;  W.  2£; 
T.  2J.  U.  S.,  southerly;  N.  to  Perm. 

2.  TROGLODYTES,  Vieillot.  WRENS. 
1.  T.  aedon,  Vieill.  HOUSE  WREX.  Brown,  brightest 
behind;  rusty  below;  every  where  more  or  less  waved 
with  darker,  distinctly  so  on  wings,  tail,  etc.;  L.  5;  W. 
2;  T.  2.  E.  U.  S.;  abundant  every  where;  very  variable. 
<  T.  domesticus,  (Bart.)  Coues. 

3.  ANORTHURA,Rennie.    WINTER  WRENS. 

1.  A.  troglodytes,  (L.)  Coues.  WINTER  WREN.  Deep 
brown,  waved  with  dusky;  belly,  wings  and  tail  strongly 
barred;  L.  4;  W.  If;  T.  1±.  N.  Am.,  northerly;  U.  S., 
in  winter,  not  common.  (T.  hyemdlis,  Vieill.) 

4.  CISTOTHORUS,  Cabanis.     MARSH  WRENS. 
*  Bill  about  half  as  long  as  head ;   no  white  superciliary  line. 
(Cistothoms.) 

1.  C.  stellaris,  (Licht.)  Cab.     SHORT -BILLED  MARSH 
WREN.      Dark  brown,   head   and   back  darker;    entire 
upper  parts  with   white  streaks;    L.  4£;   W.  If;   T.  If. 
E.  U.  S.,  in  marshes;  rather  rare. 

**  Bill  slender,  about  as  long  as  head;  a  conspicuous  white  super- 
ciliary line.    (Telmatodytes,  Cab.) 

2.  C.  palustris,  (Wilson)  Baird.    LONG -BILLED  MARSH 
WREN.     Clear  brown;  back  with  a  black  patch  contain- 
ing white  streaks;  otherwise  unstreaked  above;  crown 
blackish;    rump  brown;    L.   5;    W.  2;    T.   If.     U.  S.; 
abundant  in  reedy  swamps. 


56  BIRDS. 

FAMILY  XXV. — AL AUDIBLE. 

(The  Larks.) 

First  primary  very  short  or  entirely  wanting.  Tarsus 
scutellate  in  front  and  behind  (a  character  singular 
among  Oscines.)  Bill  short,  of  various  forms  in  different 
species;  nostrils  concealed  by  tufts  of  antrorse  feathers. 
Hind  claw  very  long  and  nearly  straight.  Inner  secon- 
daries lengthened  and  flowing.  A  group  of  about  one 
hundred  species,  chiefly  Old  World  birds,  but  a  single 
genus  belonging  to  America;  many  of  them  are 
renowned  as  vocalists. 

*  Primaries  9;  a  little  tuft  of  lengthened  black  feathers  over  each 
ear  (sometimes  obscure  in  ?.)...    EREMOPHILA,  1. 

/.  EREMOPHILA,  Boie.     HORNED  LARKS. 

=  Otocorys,  Bonap. 

1.  E.  a/pestris,  (Forst.)  Boie.  SHORE  LARK.  Pinkish 
brown,  thickly  streaked;  a  crescent  on  breast  and  strip 
under  eye  black;  white  below;  chin,  throat,  and  line 
over  eye  more  or  less  yellow;  $  with  less  black;  winter 
birds  grayish,  with  the  markings  more  obscure;  L.  ?£; 
W.  4J;  T.  3.  N.  Am.  and  Europe;  common.  A 
pleasant  singer.  [£].  cormita,  (Wilson)  Boie.] 

FAMILY  XXVI.  — MOTACILLID^E. 

(The  Wagtails.) 

Primaries  9,  first  about  as  long  as  second;  inner 
secondaries  enlarged,  the  longest  one  about  as  long  as 
the  primaries  in  the  closed  wing.  Bill  shorter  than  the 
head,  very  slender,  straight,  acute,  notched  at  tip.  Feet 
large,  fitted  for  walking;  hind  claw  long  and  nearly 
straight,  inner  toe  cleft;  basal  joint  of  outer  toe  united 
with  middle  one.  Rictal  bristles  not  conspicuous; 
nostrils  exposed. 


SYLVICOLID^E. — XXVII.  57 

A  group  of  about  one  hundred  species,  mostly  of  the 
Old  World,  connecting1  the  Alaudidce  with  the  Syhi- 
colidce.  Most  of  them  are  terrestrial.  They  have  a 
habit  (shared  by  various  others)  of  moving  the  tail  up 
and  down,  as  if  "balancing  themselves  on  unsteady 
footing;"  hence  the  name  ""Wagtail." 
*  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  outstretched  feet 
falling  much  short  of  end  of  tail.  .  .  .  ASTHUS,  1. 

/.  ANTHUS,  Bechstein.     TITLARKS. 

1.  A.  ludovicianus,  (Gm.)  Licht.  BROAVX  LARK.  TIT- 
LARK. PIPIT.  Dark  brown,  slightly  streaked;  superciliary 
line  and  under  parts  bufly;  breast  and  sides  streaked; 
outer  tail  feathers  more  or  less  white;  L.  6^;  W.  3£;  T. 
3.  N.  Am.;  generally  abundant.  (The  Missouri  Sky- 
lark, N"eocorys  spraguei,  is  a  near  relative.) 

FAMILY  XXVII.  —  SYLVICOLDXE 

(The  Warblers.) 

Primaries  9;  inner  secondaries  not  enlarged,  nor  the 
hind  toe  long  and  straight,  as  in  Alaudidce  and  Motacil- 
Udfje.  Bill  usually  rather  slender,  notched  or  not;  the 
commissure  not  angulated  at  base,  as  in  FringillidcK, 
nor  toothed  in  the  middle,  as  in  our  Tanagridw;  the 
end  not  notched  and  abruptly  hooked,  as  in  VireonidoR 
and  Laniidce;  the  gape  not  broad  and  reaching  to  the 
eyes,  as  in  JUnuidmidae. 

Our  warblers  are  small  birds;  all  (except  Icteria  which 
may  not  belong  here)  are  less  than  six  and  a  half  inches 
in  length,  and  very  many  are  less  than  five.  The  rictus 
is  generally  bristled,  but  in  several  of  our  genera  it  is 
not.  The  colors  are  usually  brilliant  and  variegated,  but 
the  sexes  are  unlike,  and  the  variations  due  to  age  and 
season  are  great,  so  that  the  study  of  the  species  is 


58  BIEDS. 

often  very  difficult.  Many  of  the  Warblers  are  pleasing 
songsters,  but  none  exhibit  any  remarkable  powers  in 
that  line.  All  are  insectivorous  and  migratory. 

This  family  consists  of  more  than  a  hundred  species, 
chiefly  North  American,  and  embraces  quite  a  wide 
variety,  so  that  the  group  can  perhaps  be  only  distin- 
guished negatively.  The  Sylvicolidce  grade  perfectly 
into  the  TanagridcB  and  Coerebidce,  and  probably  the 
three  families,  and  perhaps  the  Fringillidce^  also,  should 
be  merged  into  one.  Our  species  are  divisible  into 
three  very  distinct  sub  -  families,  indicated  below. 

I.  Bill  slender,  not  hooked,  as  high  as  wide  at  base,  with  short 
bristles  not  reaching  much  beyond  nostrils,  or  none ;  wings 
longer  than  tail  (except  Greotlilypis) ;  length  6|  or  less.  True 
Warblers.  (SYLVICOLISLE.) 

*  Tail  feathers,  some  or  all  of  them  blotched  with  white, 
f  Rictus  with  evident  bristles. 

£  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  entirely  black 
and  white,  streaked.         .        .        .         MNIOTILTA,  1. 

$  Tarsus  not  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

a.  Hind  toe  decidedly  longer  than  its  claw;   bill  acute, 
scarcely  notched ;  bluish,  throat  and  middle  of  back 

with  yellow PARULA,  2. 

aa.  Bill  very  acute,  notched,  perceptibly  decurved,  so 

that  the  gonys  is  slightly  concave ;  rump  and  under 

parts  chiefly  yellow.        .        .        PEIUSSOGLOSSA,  6. 

aaa.  Warblers  without  above  characters.     DENDRCECA,  7. 

ff  Rictus  without  evident  bristles. 

6.  Whole  head  and  neck  bright  yellow;  bill  notched,  half 
inch  or  more  long.        .        .        .      PROTONOTARIA,  3. 
l)b.  Whole   head   and   neck   not  yellow;   bill   acute,    not 
notched  nor  bristled,  less  than  half  inch  long. 

HELMINTHOPHAGA,  5. 

**  Tail  feathers   yellow  on   inner  webs;   outer  webs   dusky; 
plumage  chiefly  yellow.         .        .         .         DENDRCECA,  7. 


SYLVICOLID^E. — XXVII.  59 

***  Tail  feathers  all  unmarked ;  same  color  on  both  webs. 

c.  Conspicuously  streaked  below;  head  plain  or  with  two 
black  stripes ;  legs  long SIURUS,  8. 

cc.  Not  streaked  below. 

d.  Wings  about  as  long  as  tail ;    chiefly  yellow  below ; 
crown  (of  <j)  black  or  ashy ;  legs  strong. 

GEOTHLYPIS,  10. 
dd.  "Wings  decidedly  longer  than  tail. 

e.  Bill  not  notched,  half  inch  or  more  long;   head  plain 
or  with  four  black  stripes.        .       HELMITHERUS,  4 

ee.  Bill  less  than  half  an  inch  long. 

/.  Bill  notched;  wings  more  than  2|;  crown  plain  or 
with  black OPORORXIS,  9. 

jf.  Bill  not  notched,  nor  bristled,  very  acute ;  wings  less 
than  2i ;  crown  plain  or  with  a  bright  spot. 

HELMINTHOPHAGA,  5. 

II.  Bill  rather  stout,  not  notched,  hooked  nor  bristled ;  tail  longer 

than  wings ;  length  7  to  8.    Chats.    (ICTERIJSLE.) 

ICTERIA,  11. 

III.  Bill  depressed,  broader  at  base  than  high,  notched  and  some- 
what hooked,  with  strong  rictal  bristles  half  the  length  of 
bill ;  wings  longer  than  tail ;  length  5i  or  less.    Fly-catching 
Warblers.    (SETOPHAGIN/E.) 

a.  Bill  fully  twice  as  long  as  wide  at  base ;  tail  feathers  un- 
marked, or  blotched  with  white.        .        MYIODIOCTES,  12. 

aa.  Bill  scarcely  twice  as  long  as  wide  at  base ;  tail  marked 
with  orange  or  yellow.         .        .         .        SETOPHAGA,  13. 

/.  MNIOTILTA,  Vieillot.     CREEPING  WARBLERS. 

1.  M.  va.ria,  (L.)  Vieill.  BLACK  AND  WHITE  CREEPER. 
Entirely  black  and  white,  streaked;  crown  with  a  broad 
white  stripe;  white  wing  bars;  $  grayer;  L.  5;  W.  2f ; 
T.  2£.  E.  U.  S.;  a  neat  bird,  with  some  of  the  habits  of 
a  Nuthatch. 


60  BIRDS. 

2.    PARULA,    Bonaparte.      BLUE    YELLOW  -  BACKED 

WAEBLEES. 
=  Chloris,  Boie. 

=  Sylmcola,  Sw.  (Preoccupied  in  Mollusks.) 
1.  P.  americana,  (L.)  Bon.  BLUE  YELLOW- BACKED 
WAEBLEE.  Clear  ashy  blue ;  back  with  a  large  golden- 
green  patch;  yellow  below,  belly  white;  a  brown  band 
across  breast;  white  wing  bars.  $  obscurely  marked;  L. 
4f ;  W.  2£;  T.  2.  Miss.  Valley  and  E.  One  of  our  most 
elegant  species,  inhabiting  tree-tops. 

3.  PROTONOTAR/A,B&ird.  GOLDEN  SWAMP  WAKBLEES. 
1.  P.  cifrcea,  (Bodd.)  Bd.  PEOTHONOTAEY  WAEBLEE. 
GOLDEN  -  HEADED  WAEBLEE.  Front  and  lower  parts 
brilliant  yellow;  back,  wings,  etc.,  olivaceous;  bill  long; 
L.  5i;  W.  3;  T.  2i.  U.  S.,  southward;  N.  to  Wabash 
Valley,  in  bushy  swamps,  rather  rare,  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  of  our  birds. 

4.  HELMITHERUS,  Rafinesque.     SWAMP  WAEBLEES. 

1.  H.  vermivorus,  (Gin.)  Bon.  Wo  EM-EATING  SWAMP 
WAEBLEE.  Olive  gree  head  yellowish,  with  four  black 
stripes;  buffy  below;  $  similar;  L.  54- ;  W.  3;  T.  24.  E. 
U.  S.;  N.  to  L.  Erie. 

5.   HELMINTHOPHAGA,   Cabanis.      WOEM- EATING 

WAEBLEES.     (See  Addenda.) 
*  Tail  feathers  conspicuously  blotched  with  white. 

1.  H.  chrysoptera,  (L.)  Bd.     BLUE  GOLDEN- WINGED 
WAEBLEE.     Ashy  blue;  forehead,  crown  and  wing  bars 
bright   yellow;    throat   and   broad   stripe   through   eye, 
black,  white  below;  ?  duller;  L.  5;  W.  2|;  T.  2£.     S.  E. 
States,  rather  rare;  N.  to  Green  Bay;  a  beautiful  species. 

2.  H.  flinuSt  (L.)  Bd.    BLUE  -WINGED  YELLOW  WAEB  - 


SYLVICOLID.E. — XXVII.  61 

LER.     Olive  yellow;   crown  and  all  under  parts  bright 
yellow;  wing  bars  whitish;  loral  strip  black;  $  similar; 
L.  4J;  W.  2i;  T.  2.     S.  E.  States,  N.  to  N.  Y.    A  hand- 
some bird,  like  a  miniature  Protonotaria. 
**  Tail  feathers  without  white  blotches. 

3.  H.  ruficapi//a,  (Wils.)  Bd.     NASHVILLE  WARBLER. 
Olive  green,  ashy  on  head  and  neck;  crown  patch  bright 
chestnut,  more  or  less  concealed;  bright  yellow  below; 
lores  and  orbital  ring  pale;  $  duller,  crown  patch  obscure; 
L.  4|;  W.  21;  T.  2.     E.  U.  S.,  frequent. 

4.  //.  ce/afa,  (Say.)  Bd.    ORANGE-CROWNED  WARBLER. 
Olive  green,  never  ashy  on  head;    crown  patch  orange 
brown,  more  or  less  concealed;  greenish  yellow  below; 
$  duller,  sometimes  without  crown  patch;  L.  4f;  W.  2£; 
T.  2.     Miss.  Valley,  S.  &  W.;  rare  E. 

5.  H.  peregrina,  (Wils.)  Cab.     TENNESSEE  WARBLER. 
Olive  green;  no  crown  patch;  white  or  slightly  yellowish 
below;  L.  4J;  W.  2f ;  T.  If.     E.  U.  S.,  not  common. 

6.    PERISSOGLOSSA,    Baird.     FRINGED    TONGUE 

WARBLERS. 
1.    P.    tigrina,    (Gm.)    Bd.      CAPE    MAY   WARBLER. 

Olivaceous  above  with  darker  streaks;  rump  and  sides 
of  neck  bright  yellow;  yellow  below,  much  streaked  with 
black;  crown  black  or  nearly  so;  ear  coverts  orange 
brown,  a  white  wing  patch;  $  duller,  with  no  black  or 
reddish  about  head;  L.  oi;  W.  2|;  T.  2.  E.  U.  S., 
rather  rare.  A  fine  species  with  a  peculiar  structure  of 
the  tongue,  which  is  somewhat  as  in  Ccerebidce. 

7.  DENDRfECA,  Gray.    WOOD  WARBLERS. 
A  large    genus  comprising    about    thirty  species    of 
brightly   colored   little    birds,   all  American,  and   very 
abundant  in  the  United  States  during  the  migrations. 


62  BIRDS. 

Our  species,  though  well  marked,  are  often  difficult  to 
determine  when  not  in  full  plumage.  The  tail  feathers 
are  always  marked  with  white  or  yellow,  and  the  bill  is 
but  moderately  pointed,  notched  and  with  evident 
bristles  at  the  rictus. 

The  following*  artificial  analysis,  partially  borrowed 
from  Coues'  key  to  the  genus,  will  generally  enable  the 
student  to  distinguish  specimens. 

*  Tail  feathers  edged  with  yellow ;  plumage  chiefly  yellow. 

(Estiva,  1. 
**  Tail  feathers  blotched  with  white. 

f  A  white  blotch  on  the  primaries  near  their  bases ;  no  wing 

bars ccerulescens,  2. 

ff  No  white  blotch  on  primaries ;  wing  bars,  if  present,  not  white. 

White  below ;  crown  and  wing  patch  more  or  less  yellow. 

pennsylvanica,  6. 
Yellow  below ;  sides  reddish-streaked ;  crown  reddish. 

palmarum,  15. 
Yellow  below,  sides  black-streaked. 

Back  olive  with  reddish  spots.    .        .        .     discolor,  12. 

Back  ashy kirtlandi,  11. 

fft  No  white  blotch  on  primaries  ;  wing  bars  or  wing  patch 

white. 
\  Rump  yellow:  — crown  clear  ash;   yellow  and  streaked 

below. maculosa,  4. 

—  Crown    with    yellow    spot;    white  and 
streaked  below.  .         cororiata,  3. 

jj  Rump  not  yellow. 

Crown  with  orange  or  yellow  spot ;  throat  orange  or  yellow. 

blackbiirnice,  9. 

Crown  black;  no  distinct  yellow  any  where :  much  streaked. 

striata,  8. 

Crown  blue  or  greenish,  like  the  back ;  no  definite  yellow. 

ecerulea,  5. 

Crown  chestnut,  like  the  throat;  no  definite  yellow ;  buffy 
below castanea,  7. 


SYLVICOLID^E.-— XX  VII.  63 

Crown  bluish  or  yellowish,  not  as  above — some  yellow. 
Throat    black    (sometimes  obscured  by  yellow  tips  to 
feathers) ;  outer  tail  feather  white-edged.        virerm,  13. 
Throat  yellow;  — back  ashy  blue;  cheeks  black. 

dominica.,  10. 
—back  yellowish  olive;  cheeks  same. 

pinus,  14. 
We  copy  from  Coues'  key  the  following  valuable 

DIAGNOSTIC  MAKES  OP  WARBLERS  IN  ANY  PLUMAGE. 
A  white  spot  at  base  of  primaries.       .        .        .        ccerulescens,  2. 
Wings  and  tail  dusky,  edged  with  yellow.         .         .        (Estiva,  1. 
Wing  bars  and  belly  yellow.          ...          discolor,  12. 
Wing  bars  yellow  and  belly  pure  white.        .       pennsylvanica,  6. 

Wing  bars  white  and  tail  spots  oblique,  at  end   of  two  outer 

feathers  only pinus,  14. 

Wing  bars  brownish ;  tail  spots  square  at  end  of  two  outer  feathers 

only palm/arum,  15. 

Wing  bars  not  evident  ( v) ;  whole  under  parts  yellow ;  back  with 

no  greenish kirftrrnrJi,  11. 

Tail  spots  at  end  of  nearly  all  the  feathers,  and  no  definite  yellow 

any  where ccerulea,  5. 

Tail  spots  at  middle  of  nearly  all  the  feathers;  rump  and  belly 

yellow.  .  maculosa,4. 

Rump,  sides  of  breast  (usually)  and  crown  with  yellow ;  throat 

white coronata,  3. 

Throat  definitely  yellow;  belly  white;  back  with  no  greenish. 

dominie-el,  10. 

Throat  yellow  or  orange ;  crown  with  at  least  a  trace  of  a  central 
yellow  or  orange  spot,  and  outer  tail  feather  white-edged 
externally blactiburnia,  9. 

Throat,  breast  and  sides  black,  or  with  black  traces  (seen  on  part- 
ing the  feathers);  sides  of  head  with  diffuse  yellow;  outer 
tail  feather  white-edged  externally.  .  .  .  wrens,  13. 

With  none  of  the  foregoing  special  marks. 

striata  8  or  castanea  7  . 


64  BIEDS. 

1.  D.  cest/'va,  (Gm.)  Bd.    SUMMER  WARBLER.    GOLDEN 
WARBLER.     Chiefly  golden  yellow;    back  olive  yellow; 
breast   and    sides   with    orange    brown    streaks;    quills 
dusky,  edged  with  yellow;  $  similar,  scarcely  streaked; 
L.  5^;  W.  2J;  T.  2£.     America;  everywhere  abundant. 

2.  D.  cceru/escens,  (L.)  Bd.     BLACK  -  THROATED  BLUE 
WARBLER.      Rich  gray  blue,  with  a  few  dusky  streaks 
on  back;  throat,  sides  of  head,  neck  and  sides  of  body 
black,  otherwise  pure  white  below;  quills  black,  edged 
with  blue;  $  dull  olive  greenish,  obscurely  marked,  known 
by  the  blotch  on  the  primaries;    L.  5J;  W.  2f;  T.  2%. 
E.  U.  S.;  an  elegant  species,  not  uncommon  in  woodland. 

3.  D.  coronaia,  (L.)  Gray.     YELLOW -RUMPED  WARB- 
LER.    MYRTLE  WARBLER.     Bluish  ash  above,  streaked 
with  black;    white  below  with   large  blackish  streaks; 
crown  patch,  rump  and  sides  of  breast  bright  yellow, 
there  being  four  definite  yellow  places;    $  and  young 
brownish,  with  less  yellow  on  breast  and  head;  L.  5|; 
W.  3;    T.  2J.     U.  S.,   very   abundant,      The   earliest 
migrant. 

4.  D.   maculosa,   (Gm.)   Bd.      BLACK   AND   YELLOW 
WARBLER.      MAGNOLIA  WARBLER.      Back   black,  with 
olive  skirtings;  rump  yellow;  head  clear  ash;    a  white 
stripe  behind  eye;    sides  of   head    black,  under    parts 
(except  the  white  crissum)  rich  yellow,  with  black  streaks 
which  are  confluent  on  breast;  $  similar,  more  olivaceous, 
with  much  less  black;    L.  5;  W.  2|;  T.  2£.     E.  U.  S. 
A  brilliant  little  bird,  common  in  woodlands. 

5.  D.   ccerulea,  (Wils.)   Bd.     CERULEAN   WARBLER. 
Bright  blue  with  black  streaks;  white  below;  breast  and 
sides  with  bluish  lines;  $  not  streaked,  greenish  above, 
slightly  ^vellowish  below;  L.  4£;  W.  2|;  T.  2.     E.  U.  S.; 
N.  to  Niagara  Falls;  rather  rare.     A  dainty  species. 


SYLVICOLID.E. — XXVII.  65 

6.  D.    pennsylvanica,    (L.)    Bel.       CHESTNUT  -  SIDED 
WARBLER.      Blackish   above ;    much    streaked ;    crown 
clear  yellow;  black  patch  about  eye;  pure  white  below; 
a  line  of  bright  chestnut  streaks  along  sides;  wing  patch 
yellowish   (never   clear  white);   $  similar  but  with  less 
chestnut  and  black;    L.   5;  W.   2J;   T.  2J-.     E.  U.   S.; 
abundant,  especially  northward.     A  pretty  species. 

7.  D.  castanea,  (Wils.)  Bd.    BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER. 
AUTUMN    WARIJLEK.      Back    black   and   olive;    thickly 
streaked;  forehead  and  sides  of  head  black  enclosing  a 
deep  chestnut  crown  patch;  chin,  throat  and  sides,  dull 
chestnut,  otherwise  pale  buffy  below;  $  more  olivaceous 
with  less  chestnut;  young  scarcely  distinguishable  from 
striata;  L.  5;  W.  3;  T.  2|.    E.  U.  S.    Not  very  common. 

8.  D.   striata,   (Forst.)   Bd.     BLACK-POLL  WARBLER. 

Black  and  olivaceous,  almost  every  where  streaked ;  whole 
crown  pure  black;  $  more  olivaceous,  slightly  yellowish 
below;  rather  large;  L.  5};  W.  3;  T.  2±.  E,  U.  S.;  the 
last  to  migrate.  "  When  the  Black  -  Polls  appear  in 
force,  the  collecting  season  is  about  over  "  (Cones.) 

9.  D.  blackburnice,  (Gm.)  Bd.      ORANGE  -  THROATED 
WARBLER.        BLACKBURXIAN     WARBLER.        HEMLOCK 
WARBLER.      Black  above  with  whitish   streaks;  crown 
patch,   superciliary   line,  sides   of  neck   and   the   whole 
throat  brilliant  orange  or  flame  color,  fading  into  yellow- 
ish on  the  belly;  $  similar,  but  olive  and  bright  yellow 
instead  of  black  and  orange;  L.  5^;  W.  2f ;  T.  2%.     E. 
U.  S.;  abundant  among  the  tree-tops.    The  most  brilliant 
species. 

10.  D.  dommica,  (L.)  Bd.    YELLOW-THROATED  WARB- 
LER.     Ashy  blue;    throat    bright  yellow;    belly  white; 
cheeks  black  ;    superciliary  line   white   or  yellowish  in 
front;    L.   5;    W.  2f:    T.   2£.      Southern  States;   N.  to 


66  BIRDS. 

Penn.,   Central   Indiana   and   Kansas;   rare  northward. 
A  neat,  plain  species,  with  the  habits  of  a  creeper. 

11.  D.  kirilandi,  Bd.     KIRTLAND'S  WARBLER.     Ashy 
blue  above;  yellow  and  streaked  below;  lores  black;  L. 
5-£;    W.  2J;  T.  2|.     Ohio  and  the  Bahamas.     Two  or 
three  specimens  known. 

12.  D.  discolor,  ( Vieill.)  Bd.    PRAIRIE  WARBLER.  Olive 
yellow;    back    with   a   patch   of    red    spots;    forehead, 
superciliary   line,    wing   bars   and   under    parts    bright 
yellow;    streaked  below;    sides  of   head  with  black;    £ 
similar;  L.  4£;  W.  2£;  T.  2.     E.  U.  S.,  N.  to  Mass,  and 
Ills.;  chiefly  in  evergreen  thickets.     An  elegant  species. 

13.  D.   virens,  (Gm.)  Bd.     BLACK -THROATED  GREEN 
WARBLER.      Clear    yellow   olive;    sides   of    head   rich 
yellow;    whole   throat   and  breast   jet  black,  the   color 
extending  along  the  sides;  otherwise  whitish  below;  $ 
and  winter  birds  with  the  black  interrupted  or  veiled 
with  yellowish;  L.  5;  W.  2J-;  T.  2±.     E.  U.  S.;  abundant. 

14.  D.  pinus,  (Wils.)  Bd.     PINE-CREEPING  WARBLER. 
Yellow  olive  above;  under  parts  and  superciliary  line 
yellow;  no  sharp  markings  any  where;  $  more  grayish; 
L.  5J;  W.  3;  T.  2£.     E.   U/S.,   N.  to  Mass,  and  L. 
Superior;  abundant  in  evergreen  forests. 

15.  D.  palmarum,  (Gm.)   Bd.      YELLOW   RED  -  POLL 
WARBLER.      PALM  WARBLER.      Brownish  olive  above, 
somewhat  streaked,  rump  brighter;  crown  bright  chest- 
nut; superciliary  line  and  under  parts  yellow  with  brown 
streaks;  no  wing  bars;  $  similar;  L.  5;  W.  2f;  T.  2^. 
E.   N.   A.;   abundant;    terrestrial;    less   beautiful   than 
most  of  the  group. 

8.  SIURUS,  Swainson.     WATER  THRUSHES. 
1.     S.     auricapillus,     (L.)    Sw.      GOLDEN  -  CROWNED 
THRUSH.       OVEN  -  BIRD,      Bright    olive   green,    white 


SYLVICOLID^E. — XXVII.  67 

below,  sharply  spotted  on  breast  and  sides,  after  the 
fashion  of  the  Thrushes;  crown  orange  brown,  with  two 
black  stripes;  L.  6£;  W.  3;  T.  2J.  U.  S.;  abundant  in 
woodland,  spending  most  of  its  time  on  the  ground,  like 
the  other  species  of  this  genus,  and  the  next  two;  re- 
markable for  its  loud,  ringing  song,  and  its  curious  oven- 
shaped  nest;  the  largest  of  the  true  Warblers. 

2.  S.  navius,  (Coues).      WATER  WAGTAIL.     WATER 
THRUSH.       Dark    olive    brown    above,  pale    yellowish 
beneath;  thickly  spotted  every  where  with  the  color  of 
the  back;  a  yellowish  superciliary  line;  bill  about  a  half 
inch  long;    feet  dark;    L.  6;    W.  3;    T.  2£.      N.  Am.; 
abundant  in  low  thickets;  moves  its  tail  like  a  Wagtail. 

3.  S.  motacilla,  (Vieill.)  Bon.     LARGE  -  BILLED  WATER 
THRUSH.     Same  general  color  as  last,  but  white  or  pale 
buffy  below,  and  less  sharply  spotted;  bill  much  larger, 
about  f  inch;   feet  pale;    larger;  L.  6J;  W.  3£;  ?.  ty. 
E.  U.  S.,   scarce;    N.   to   Mass.    (Allen)   and   N.  Wis. 
(Jordan.)     (S.  ludoviciamis,  authors.) 

9.  OPORORNIS,  Baird.     NIMBLE  WARBLERS. 

1.  0.    agilis,   (Wils.)   Bd.      CONNECTICUT  WARBLER. 
Olive  green,  a.shy  on  head;  throat  and  breast  brownish 
ash,  otherwise  yellow  below;  no  sharp  markings;  in  fall 
more  olivaceous;  L.  of;  W.  3;  T.  2^.     E.  U.  S.,  rare;  a 
shy,  quiet  bird. 

2.  0.  formosus,  (Wils.)  Bd.      KENTUCKY  WARBLER. 
Clear  olive  green,  bright  yellow  below;  crown  and  sides 
of  head  and  neck  black,  with  a  rich  yellow  superciliary 
stripe,  which  bends  around  the  eye  behind;  L.  of;  W.  3; 
T.  2^.     E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  southerly,  N.  to  Wis.  and  Conn.; 
in  low  thickets,  not  generally  common;  a  handsome  and 
active  species. 


68  BIRDS. 

10.  GEOTHLYPIS,  Cabanis.    GEOUND  WAKBLEES. 

1.  G.  trichas,  (L.)  Cab.     MARYLAND  YELLOW  THROAT. 
BLACK  -  MASKED  GROUND  WARBLER.     Olive  green;  fore- 
head and  broad  mask  extending  down  sides  of  head  and 
neck  jet  black,  bordered  behind  with  clear  ash;  under 
parts  yellow,   clear  on  throat  and  breast;    $  obscurely 
marked,  without  black  mask  and  with  less  yellow;  L.  4|; 
W.  2J;    T.  2^.     U.  S.,  abundant  in  thickets;  a  pretty 
bird  with  a  lively  song. 

2.  G.  Philadelphia,  (Wils.)  Bd.     MOURNING  WARBLER. 
Bright  olive,  clear  yellow  below;  head  ashy;  throat  and 
breast    black,    the    feathers    usually    ashy  -  skirted    (as 
though  the  bird  wore  crape,  hence    "  Mourning  Warb- 
ler"); $  and  $  not  in  full  plumage  almost  exactly  like 
O.  agilis,  but  the  tail  as  long  as  wings;  L.  5^;  W.  2^; 
T.  2^.     E.  U.  S.,  rather  rare,  in  dense  thickets. 

//.  ICTERIA,  Vieillot.     YELLOW -BREASTED  CHATS. 

1.  /.  virens,  (L.)  Bd.  YELLOW  -  BREASTED  CHAT. 
Olive -green;  throat  and  breast  bright  yellow;  belly 
abruptly  white;  lores  black,  a  white  superciliary  line; 
wings  and  tail  plain;  tarsus  almost  booted;  L.  7^;  W. 
3i;  T.  3£.  U.  S.,  southerly;  N.  to  Mass,  and  Wis.  (Cope- 
land.)  A  loud,  quaint  songster,  often  placed  with  the 
Vireos,  but  having  little  affinity  with  any  of  our  groups. 

12.  MY/OD/OCTES,  Miduhon.  FLY-CATCHING  WARBLERS. 

=  WMsonia,  Nuttall  (used  in  Botany). 

1.  M.  miiratus,  (Gm.)  Aud.  HOODED  FLY -CATCHING 
WARBLER.  YELLOW- MASKED  WARBLER.  Bright  yellow- 
olive,  crown  and  neck  all  around  jet  black,  enclosing  a 
broad  golden  mask;  under  parts  from  the  breast  bright 
yellow ;  tail  with  white  blotches ;  $  olive  instead  of 


TANAGRID^E, — XXVIII.  69 

black;  L.  5;  W.  2f;  T.  2|.      E.  U.  S.,  southerly;  N.  to 
L.  Erie;  a  singular  species. 

2.  A/.  pus/7/uSf  (Wils.)  Bonap.  GREEN  BLACK-CAPPED 
FLY-CATCHING  WARBLER.  Clear  yellow-olive;  crown 
glossy  black;  forehead,  lores,  sides  of  head  and  entire 
under  parts  bright  yellow;  wings  and  tail  unblotched;  $ 
with  less  black;  L/4f;  W.  2£;  T.  2±.  U.  S.;  abundant. 

0.  M.  canadensis,  (L.)  And.     CANADA  FLY -CATCHING 
WARBLER.      Bluish  ash;    crown    speckled   with   black; 
under  parts  (except  white  crissum)  clear  yellow;  lores 
black,   continuous  with  black  under  the  eye,  and  this 
passing  as  a  chain  of  black  streaks  down  the  side  of  the 
neck  and  encircling  the  breast  like  a  necklace;  wings 
and  tail  plain;  $  similar,  with  less  black;  L.  5^;  W.  2f ; 
T.  2^.      E.  U.  S.,  to  the  Missouri,  frequent.      One  of  the 
handsomest  Warblers. 

13.  SETOPHAGA,  Swainson.     AMERICAN  REDSTARTS. 

1.  S.  ruticitla,  (L.)  Sw.     REDSTART.     Black;  sides  of 
breast  and  large  blotches  on  wings  and  tail  orange-red; 
belly  white,   reddish  tinged;  $  olive,   similarly  marked 
with   reddish  yellow;  L.  5£;  W.  2J;  T.   H.     E.  U.  S., 
very  abundant.     A  handsome  and  active  Fly-Catcher. 

FAMILY  XXVIII.  —  TANAGRID.E. 

(The  Tanagers.) 

Primaries  9;  bill  usually  conical,  sometimes  depressed 
or  attenuated,  the  culmen  curved;  cutting  edges  not 
much  inflected,  sometimes  toothed,  notched  or  serrated; 
tarsus  scutellate.  Legs  short;  claws  long;  colors  usually 
brilliant.  A  large  family  of  three  hundred  or  more 
species,  confined  to  the  warmer  parts  of  America,  and 
embracing  a  wide  diversity  of  forms.  Some  have  slender 
bills  and  are  scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  Warblers. 


70 


Others,  like  our  Pyranga,  have  stout  conical  bills  and  are 
very  closely  related  to  the  Finches.  The  single  North 
American  genus  has  a  stout,  sparrow  -  like  bill,  notched 
at  the  tip,  and  more  or  less  evidently  toothed  or  lobed 
near  the  middle  of  the  upper  mandible. 

/.  PYRANGA,ViQ\\\oi.     FIRE  TANAGERS. 

1.  P.  rubra,  (L.)  Vieill.   SCARLETT  A  NAGEB.   3  brilliant 
scarlet;  wings  and  tail  black,  no  wing  bars;  $  clear  olive 
green;  clear  greenish  yellow  below;  L.  ?•£;  W.  4;  T.  3. 
E.  U.  S.;  abundant  in  woodland;  a  respectable  songster. 

2.  P.    CBstiva,  (L.)  Vieill.      SUMMER    RED   BIRD.      $ 
bright  rose  red  throughout;  wings  a  little  dusky;  $  dull 
brownish  olive,  dull  yellowish  below;  no  wing  bars;  bill 
and  feet  paler  than  in  P.  rubra;  size  of  last.     E.  U.  S., 
chiefly  southerly;  N.  to  N.  J.  and  Ills.;  abundant. 

FAMILY  XXIX.  —  HIRUNDINID^E. 

(The  Swallows.} 

Primaries  9;  bill  "  fissirostrai,"  i.  e.,  short,  broad,  tri- 
angular, depressed,  the  gape  wide  and  about  twice  as 
long'as  the  culmen,  reaching  to  about  opposite  the  eyes. 
Wings  very  long  and  pointed,  the  first  primary  usually 
longest,  and  twice  as  long  as  the  last;  secondaries  very 
short.  Tail  more  or  less  forked.  Feet  weak;  tarsus 
scutellate,  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw.  Plumage 
compact,  and  more  or  less  lustrous. 

A  very  natural  family  of  about  one  hundred  species, 
found  all  over  the  world.  All  are  strong  on  the  wing, 
insectivorous,  and  usually  migratory. 

*  Plumage  above  more  or  less  lustrous  blue-black  or  green  ;  no 

tarsal  tuft  nor  recurved  hooks  on  outer  primary. 
f  Tail  deeply  forked  ;  outer  feathers  attenuate  and  blotched  with 
white  .........       HIRUNDO,  1. 


HIRUNDINILXE. — XXIX.  71 

ff  Tail  scarcely  forked ;  rump  and  forehead  not  colored  like  the 

back PETROCHELIDON,  3. 

f  f  f  Tail  somewhat  forked  ,   unblotched ;  rump  and   forehead 

colored  like  the  back. 

a.  Lustrous  green  or  violaceous;  pure  white  below;  length 
less  than  61.        .....      TACHYCINETA,  2. 

aa.  Lustrous  blue-black ;  ?  paler  and  whitish  below ;  length 
more  than  64.        .  .  .      PROGXE,  6. 

**  Plumage  brownish-gray ;  scarcely  lustrous  and  without  shades 

of  blue  or  green. 
b.  A.  little  tuft  of  feathers  on  tarsus  at  base  of  hind  toe;  edge  of 

wing  smooth. COTYLE,  4. 

bb.  Outer  web  of  first  primary  more  or  less  saw  like,  with  a 
series  of  minute  recurved  hooks,  no  tarsal  tuft. 

STELGIDOPTEKYX,  5. 

/.  HIRUNDO,  Linnaeus.  SWALLOWS. 
1.  H,  horreoru/n,  Barton.  BARX  SWALLOW.  Lustrous 
steel-blue,  pale  chestnut  below ;  forehead  and  throat 
deep  chestnut;  an  imperfect  steel-blue  collar;  tail  very 
deeply  forked;  L.  7;  W.  5;  T.  4J.  N.  Am.,  abundant; 
breeding  in  colonies  about  barns,  etc. 

2.  TACHYCINETA,  Cabanis.  WHITE-BELLIED  SWALLOWS. 
1.  T.  bicolor,  (Vieill.)  Coues.  WHITE -BELLIED  SWAL- 
LOW. Lustrous  green,  pure  white  below;  $  duller;  L. 
6i;  W.  5;  T.  2f.  N.  Am.,  abundant  about  water, 
nesting  in  trees,  etc.;  a  handsome  swallow. 

3.  PETROCHELIDON,  Cabanis.  CLIFF  SWALLOWS. 
I.  P.  lunifrons,  (Say  )  Cab.  CLIFF  SWALLOW.  EAVE 
SWALLOW.  Lustrous  steel  blue;  forehead,  sides  of  head, 
throat,  rump,  etc.,  of  various  shades  of  chestnut;  a  blue 
spot  on  breast,  belly  whitish;  L.  5£;  W.  4£;  T.  2^.  N. 
Am.,  abundant,  formerly  nesting  in  clift's,  but  now  under 
the  eaves  of  barns,  etc. 


72  BIRDS. 

4.  COTYLE,  Boie.     BANK  SWALLOWS. 
1.  C.   riparia,   (L.)   Boie.     BANK  SWALLOW.     SAND 
MARTIN.      Dark   gray,   not   iridescent,  white    below,    a 
brown  shade  across  the  breast;  L.  4f ;  W.  4;  T.  2.     N. 
Am.,  abundant,  breeding  in  holes  in  sandbanks,  etc. 

5.    STELGIDOPTERYX,   Baird.      ROUGH -WINGED 

SWALLOWS. 

1.  S.  serripennis,  (Aud. )  Bd.  ROUGH -WINGED 
SWALLOW.  Brownish  gray;  wing  hooks  weak  in  ?;  L. 
5J;  W.  44;  T.  2£.  U.  S.,  not  common,  rare  eastward, 
breeding  in  banks,  etc. 

6.  PROGNE,  Boie.     MARTINS. 

1.  P.  subis,  (L.)  Bd.  PURPLE  MARTIN.  Lustrous 
blue -black  throughout;  $  duller,  whitish  and  streaky 
below;  bill  stout,  almost  hooked;  L.  74;  W.  6;  T.  o|. 
N.  Am.,  abundant.  (P.  purpurea,  Auct.) 

FAMILY  XXX.  — AMPELIDJE. 

(The  Chatterers.) 

Primaries  10,  or  apparently  9,  the  first  sometimes 
rudimentary  and  displaced;  bill  stout,  triangular,  de- 
pressed, decidedly  notched  and  hooked,  with  the  gape 
very  wide.  Nostrils  overhung  by  membrane  covered 
with  bristly  feathers.  Tarsus  short,  with  the  lateral 
plates  more  or  less  subdivided,  and  often  scarcely  oscine 
in  character;  lateral  toes  nearly  equal.  As  here  con- 
stituted, a  small  group  of  six  or  eight  species,  the 
Myidestince  usually  brought  into  this  connection  being 
really  TurdidcB^  as  shown  by  Prof.  Baird.  There  are 
two  sub  -  families,  bearing  but  little  resemblance  to  each 
other,  —  PtilogonydinCB,  of  the  warmer  parts  of  N. 
America,  and  Ampelince,  of  the  northern  parts  of  both 
hemispheres. 


*  VIREONID^.— XXXI.  73 

The  AmpeUnm  constitute  a  single  genus  of  three 
species.  All  are  crested  birds  with  a  soft  plumage  of  a 
handsome  cinnamon  drab  color;  the  ends  of  the  secon- 
daries, and  sometimes  of  the  tail  feathers,  also,  are 
tipped  with  horny  appendages,  looking  like  red  sealing- 
wax. 

The  tail  is  short  and  square,  much  shorter  than  the 
long  wings,  and  in  our  species  it  is  tipped  with  yellow. 
The  Wax  Wings  are  migratory  and  gregarious,  feeding 
on  insects  and  soft  fruits.  Their  voices  are  weak  and 
wheezy,  and  they  can  scarcely  be  considered  as  songsters. 

/.  AMPELIS,  Linna?us.     WAX  WINGS. 

1.  A.  garrulus,  L.  BOHEMIAN  WAX  WING.  NORTHERN 
WAX  WING.     General  color  an  indescribable  silky,  ashy 
brown  with  a  red  tinge;  front  and  sides  of  head  shaded 
with  purplish  cinnamon ;  a  black  band  across  forehead 
around  head;  throat  black;  crissum  chestnut  red;  two 
broad  white  wing  bars;  L.  7£;  W.  44;  T.  3.     Northern 
regions,  S.  in  winter  in  large  flocks  to  the  Great  Lakes; 
an  interesting  and  beautiful  bird. 

2.  A.  cedrorum,  (Vieill.)  Bd.     CEDAR  BIRD.     CHERRY 
BIRD.    SOUTHERN  WAX  WIXG.     Similar  but  smaller  and 
less  cinnamon-tinged,  chin  black;  strip  across  face  black, 
bordered   above  by  whitish;    belly  yellowish;    crissum 
white;  no  wing  bars;  ?  with  the  wax-like   appendages 
small   or   wanting;    L.   6±;    W.   3|;    T.  24.     E.  U.  S., 
abundant. 

FAMILY  XXXI.  — VIREONID^E. 

(The  Vireos.) 

Primaries  10,  or  apparently  only  9,  the  first  being 
sometimes  rudimentary  and  displaced.  Bill  shorter  than 
head,  stout,  compressed,  decidedly  notched  and  hooked. 

4 


74  BIEDS. 

Rictus  with  bristles.  Nostrils  exposed,  overhung  by  a 
scale,  reached  by  the  bristly  frontal  feathers.  Tarsus 
scutellate;  toes  soldered  at  base  for  the  whole  length  of 
basal  joint  of  middle  one,  which  is  united  with  the  basal 
joint  of  the  inner  and  the  two  basal  joints  of  the  outer; 
lateral  toes  usually  unequal. 

A  rather  small  family,  comprising  sixty  or  seventy 
species  of  small  olivaceous  birds,  all  American.  The 
coloration  is  usually  blended  and  varies  little  with  age 
or  sex.  All  are  insectivorous,  and  many  of  them  are 
remarkable  as  songsters. 

Concerning  the  "nine-primaried"  species,  Prof.  Baird 
remarks:  "In  V.  flavifrons,  in  which  the  outer  primary 
is  supposed  to  be  wanting,  its  presence  may  be  easily 
appreciated.  One  of  the  peculiar  characters  of  this 
species  consists  in  a  narrow  edging  of  white  to  all  the 
primary  quills,  while  the  primary  coverts  (the  small 
feathers  covering  their  bases,  as  distinguished  from  what 
are  usually  termed  the  wing  coverts,  which  more  properly 
belong  to  the  forearm  or  secondaries)  are  without  them. 
If  these  coverts  are  carefully  pushed  aside,  two  small 
feathers  considerably  shorter  than  the  others  will  be  dis- 
closed, one  overlying  the  other,  which  (the  under  one) 
springs  from  the  base  of  the  exposed  portion  of  the 
long  outermost  primary,  and  lies  immediately  against  its 
outer  edge.  This  small  feather  is  stiff,  falcate,  and 
edged  with  white  like  the  other  quills,  and  can  be 
brought  partly  around  on  the  inner  edge  of  the  large 
primary,  when  it  will  look  like  any  spurious  quill.  The 
overlying  feather  is  soft,  and  without  light  edge. 

In  the  other  Vireos,  with  appreciable  spurious  or  short 
outer  primary,  a  similar  examination  will  reveal  only  one 
small  feather  at  the  outer  side  of  the  base  of  the  exterior 
large  primary. 


VIREONID^E. — XXXI.  75 

In  all  the  families  of  Passeres,  v/here  the  existence  of 
nine  primaries  is  supposed  to  be  characteristic,  I  have 
invariably  found,  as  far  as  my  observations  have  extend- 
ed, that  there  were  two  of  the  small  feathers  referred  to, 
while  in  those  of  ten  primaries  but  one  would  be 
detected." 

*  Wings  long  and  pointed,  i  or  more  longer  than  the  tail ;  first 

primary  very  small  or  apparently  wanting,  less  than  i  length 

of  second. VIREOSYLVIA,  1. 

**  "Wings  relatively  short  and  rounded,  not  one -fourth  longer 
than  the  tail;  first  primary  f  or  more  length  of  second;  bill 
stout VIREO,  2. 

/.  VIREOSYLVIA,  Bonaparte.     LONG -WINGED  VIREOS. 
<  Vireo,  Vieillot. 

*  Slender  species,  the  bill  slender,  light  horn  color,  pale  below; 

commissure  straight  and  culmen  relatively  so;  no  wing  bars 
iior  conspicuous  orbital  ring;  feet  weak.    (Vireosylma) 
f  Primaries  apparentl}1-  9. 

1.  /.  olivacea,  (L.)  Bon.    RED  -  EYED  VIREO.    GREEN- 
LET.     Olive  green,  crown  ashy,  edged  on  each  side  with 
blackish;    a  white   superciliary  line,   and   below  this  a 
dusky  streak;  white  below,  somewhat  olive  shaded;  eyes 
red;  L.  6;  W.  3£;  T.  2-J.     E.  U.  S.,  very  abundant  in 
woodland;  an  energetic  songster. 

2.  V.  philadelphica,  Cassin.    PHILADELPHIA  GREEXLET. 
Dull  olive  green,  becoming  ashy  on   crown;  no  black 
lines  on  head;  a  whitish  superciliary  line;  below  faintly 
yellowish,  fading  to  white  on  throat,  etc.;  L.  4f ;  W.  2f ; 
T.  2J.     E.  U.  S.,  scarce. 

ft  Primaries  evidently  10. 

3.  V.  gilva,  (Yieill.)  Cass.    WARBLING  VIREO.     Colors 
exactly   as   in   the   preceding,    but    the   spurious    quill 
evident;  L.  5£;  W.  2f;  T.  2£.      E.  N.  A.,  frequent;  an 
exquisite  songster,  nesting  in  tall  trees  in  cities,  etc. 


76  BIRDS. 

**  Stout  species;  the  bill  short  and  stout,  blue-black;  both  culmen 
and  commissure  decidedly  curved ;  a  pale  stripe  running  from 
bill  to  and  around  eye;  white  wing  bars;  quills  blackish, 
mostly  edged  with  white;  feet  stout.    (Lanimreo,  Bd.) 
\  Primaries  apparently  9. 

4.  V.  flavifrons,  (Vieill.)  Baird.     YELLOW -THROATED 
VIREO.      Rich  olive   green    above,    becoming   ashy   on 
rump;    bright  yellow  below;    belly  white;    superciliary 
line    and   orbital    ring    yellow;    L.    5£;    W.    3;    T.    2. 
E.  U.  S.,  abundant;  a  brightly  colored  species. 

\\  Primaries  evidently  10. 

5.  V.  solitaria,  (Wils.)  Baird.     BLUE  -  HEADED  VIREO. 
SOLITARY  GREENLET.     Bright  olive  green;  crown  and 
sides  of  head  bluish  ash;  stripe  to  and  around  eye  white, 
a  dusky  line   below  it;   white  below,  somewhat  washed 
with  pale  yellow;  L.  5|;  W.  3;  T.  2£.     U.  S.,  in  wood- 
land, frequent;  a  stout,  handsome  species. 

2.  VIREO,  Vieillot.     SHORT  -WINGED  VIREOS. 

1.  V.   noveboracensis,   (Gm.)   Bonap.      WHITE -EYED 
VIREO.      Bright  olive  green,  white    below;    sides   and 
crissum  bright  yellow;  pale  wing  bars;  stripe  from  bill 
to  and  around  eye,  yellow;  eyes  white;    L.  5;  W.  2£; 
T.  2^.    E.  U.  S.,  in  thickets;  a  sprightly  bird,  with  a  loud 
and  varied  song. 

2.  V.  belli,  Aud.     BELL'S  VIREO.     Olive-green,  yellow 
below,   chin    and    superciliary  line  whitish;  wing  bars 
whitish;  L.  4J;  W.  2|;  T.  2.     Western,  E.  to  Ills,  and 
Neb.     Resembles  F".  gilva. 

FAMILY  XXXIL  — LANIIMJ. 

(The  Shrikes.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  short  (rarely  wanting) ;  bill  hawk- 
like, very  strong,  the  upper  mandible  toothed  and  ab- 


FBINGILLID^. — XXXIII.  77 

ruptly   hooked   at   the   tip ;    both   mandibles   distinctly 

notched.     Wings  short,   rounded.      Tail  long.      Tarsus 

scutellate  on  the  outside  as  well  as  in  front.    Sexes  alike. 

Species  about  100,  found  in  most  parts  of  the  world, 

remarkable  for  their  energy  and  pugnacity. 

*  Rictus  with  bristles ;  nostrils  concealed  by  bristly  tufts ;  colors 

black,  white  and  gray.         .  COLLDRIO,  1. 

/.  COLLURIO,  Vigors.     SHRIKES. 

1.  C.   borealis,   (Vieill.)   Baird.      GREAT   NORTHERN 
SHRIKE.     BUTCHERBIRD.     Clear  bluish  ash  above;  black 
bars  on  side  of  head  not  meeting  in  front,  interrupted 
by  a  white  crescent  on  under  eyelid;  rump  and  shoulders 
whitish;  wings  black;  white  below,  waved  with  blackish; 
L.  9^;  W.-4J;  T.  4f.     Northern  regions,  S  in  winter  to 
Ohio  R.  and  Potomac. 

2.  C.   ludovicianus,   (L.)    var.    excubitoroides,    (Sw.) 
Coues.      LOGGERHEAD    SHRIKE.      Clear   ashy   blue  ;    a 
whitish  superciliary  line;    black  bars  on  sides  of    head 
meeting  across  forehead;  no  crescent  on  under  eyelid; 
white  below  scarcely  or  not  dark- waved;  L.  8£;  W.  4; 
T.  4-i.     Western,  E.  to  L.  Michigan  and  Ohio  R.     (See 
Addenda.) 

FAMILY  XXXIII.  —  FRINGILLHXE. 

(The  Finches.) 

Primaries  9.  Tarsus  strictly  oscine.  Bill  mostly 
shorter  than  head,  robust,  of  a  conical  form,  with  the 
commissure  more  or  less  abruptly  angulated  near  its 
base;  in  other  words,  the  "corners  of  the  mouth  drawn 
down."  This  feature  is  usually  unmistakeable,  and  it  is 
almost  the  only  character  pertaining  to  all  the  members 
of  the  family.  Even  this  is  also  shared  by  the  Icteridce, 
which,  however,  may  generally  be  distinguished  by  the 
greater  length  and  slenderness  of  the  bill, 


78  BIKDS. 

A  very  large  family,  the  most  extensive  in  Ornithology, 
comprising  about  one  hundred  genera  and  five  hundred 
species,  found  in  nearly  every  part  of  the  world,  except 
Australia.  They  are  especially  abundant  in  North 
America,  where  about  one-eighth  of  all  the  birds  are 
Fringillidw.  "  Any  one  United  States  locality  of  aver- 
age attractiveness  to  birds,  has  a  bird-fauna  of  over  two 
hundred  species,  and  if  it  be  away  from  the  sea-coast, 
and  consequently  uninhabited  by  marine  birds,  about 
one-fourth  of  the  species  are  SylvicolidcB  and  Fringil- 
lidcB  together,  the  latter  somewhat  in  excess  of  the 
former.  It  is  not  easy,  therefore,  to  give  undue  promi- 
nence to  these  two  families."  (Coues.) 

All  the  Finches  are  granivorous,  feeding  chiefly  on 
seeds,  but  not  rejecting  either  berries  or  insects;  nearly 
all  sing,  and  some  most  delightfully;  most  of  them  are 
plainly  clad,  a  streaky  brown  being  the  prevailing  tint, 
but  others  are  among  the  most  brilliantly  colored  birds. 
Among  these  latter  only  are  the  changes  in  plumage 
strongly  marked. 

The  following  key  to  the  genera  is  aoout  as  artificial 
as  it  well  could  be,  but  a  more  natural  one  would  be  less 
easy  of  application.     The  characters  here  assigned  are 
seldom  truly  generic. 
*  Species  of  large  size  -,  length  at  least  more  than  7£. 

f  Tail  longer  than  wings. 

a.  Conspicuously  crested,  chiefly  red  or  rosy-tinted ;  bill  very 

large,  reddish.       .  .        .    CARDINALIS,  23. 

aa.  Not  crested  ;  black  or  brown  with  chestnut  on  sides ; 

wings  and  tail  with  white ;  bill  moderate,  black. 

PIPILO,  24. 
aaa.  Not  crested,  head  mostly  black;  no  white  on  tail 

ZONOTRICHIA,  13, 
|f  Tail  shorter  than  wings. 

b.  Bill  very  large  and  stout.    ("  Grosbeaks.") 


FRINGILLID^. — XXXIII.  79 

c.  Black  and  white  ($)  or  brown,  streaked  (?) ;  under  wing 

coverts  rosy  or  yellow.  .  .  .  GONIAPHEA,  20. 
cc.  Rosy  red  (<<)  or  gray  with  brownish  yellow  on  head  and 

rump  (?) PINICOLA,  2. 

ccc.  Bill  greenish  yellow,  as  long  as  tarsus ;  wings  and  tail 

"black ;  secondaries  mostly  white.  HESPERIPHONA,  1. 
lib.  Bill  moderate  or  small. 

d.  White,  with  black  on  wings  and  tail,  or  washed  with 

clear  brown ;  hind  toe  elongated.  PLECTROPHANES,  7. 
dd.  Streaked  above  ;  head  striped  ;  tail  about  as  long  as 

wings ZONOTRICHIA,  13. 

**  Species  of  medium  or  small  size ;  length  7i  or  less. 
%  Mandibles  long  and  much  curved,  their  points  crossed ;  colors 

chiefly  red  or  olive LOXIA,  4. 

\\  Hind  claw  straightish,  twice  as  long  as  middle  claw;  colors 
black,  white  and  brown.         .        .        PLECTROPHANES,  7. 
\\\  With  neither  of  the  preceding  combinations. 
e.  No  where  decidedly  spotted  or  streaked  (sometimes  appear- 
ing mottled  owing  to  the  darker  centers  of  the  feathers). 
/.  Blackish,  or  ashy ;  belly  and  one  to  three  outer  tail  feath- 
ers white;  bill  pale,  without  ruff.         .       Jmroo,  17. 
ff.  Yellow,  more  or  less ;  base  of  bill  with  a  small  ruff;  no 
blue ;  young  brownish.        .        .        CHRYSOMITRIS,  6. 
fff.  Chiefly  or  entirely  blue  ($\  greenish  or  plain  brown  (?). 
g.  Length  more  than  6 ;  wings  with  chestnut  or  whitish ; 

bill  stout GUIRACA,  21. 

gg.  Length  5  to  6 ;  gonys  usually  with  a  dusky  stripe. 

CYANOSPIZA,  22. 

ee.  Some  where  or  every  where  decidedly  spotted  or  streaked. 
h.  One  or  more  outer  tail  feathers  partly  or  wholly  white. 
i.  Hind  claw  very  long  and  nearly  straight;  colors  black 
and  white  or  brown.       .        .      PLECTROPHANES,  7. 
ii.  Hind  claw  not  specially  elongated. 
,;'.  Bend  of  wing  with  chestnut  ;    crown  and    breast 
streaked ;  tail  much  shorter  than  wings. 

P003CETES,   10. 


80  BIRDS. 

jj.  No  chestnut  on  wing ;  breast  unstreaked ;  head  with 
black,  white  and  chestnut;  tail  nearly  as  long  a3 

wings CIIONDESTES,  12. 

Wi.  Tail  feathers  rigid,   acute,   almost  scansorial  ;    small 
streaked  marsh-sparrows  with  yellow-edged  wings. 

AMMODROMUS,  11. 

hhh.  Tail  feathers  more  or  less  rounded  and  soft,  none  of 
them  white. 

k.  Wings  decidedly  longer  than  tail. 

I  With  crimson  or  clear  (not  rusty)  red ;  a  ruff  at  base 
of  bill. 

m.  Crown  crimson ;  throat  dusky.    .      ^EGIOTHUS,  5. 

mm.  Crown,  chin,  throat  and  often  whole  plumage 

washed  with  red.    .        .    $  of  CAEPODACUS,  3. 

tt.  With  definite  yellow  some  where. 

n.  Bases  and  edges  of  quills  and  tail  feathers  yellow; 
bill  acute.         .        .        .         CIIKYSOMITRIS,  6. 
nn.  Rump  sulphur  yellow;  bill  with  a  small  ruff. 

^EGIOTHUS,  5. 

nnn.  Edge  of  wing  and  superciliary  line  or  spot  at 
least,  yellow  or  yellowish ;  no  ruff. 

o.  Breast  yellow;  throat  patch  or  streaks  black, 
bill  bluish EUSPIZA,  19. 

oo.  Breast  buffy  or  streaky;  wings  less  than  2i; 
tail  feathers  narrow.  .  AMMODUOMUS,  11. 

ooo.  Breast  streaked ;  wings  more  than  2i ;  inner 
secondaries  nearly  as  long  as  primaries. 

PASSERCULUS,  9. 

III.  With  no  definite  crimson  nor  yellow  any  where. 
p.  Introduced  birds,  not  streaked  below ;  throat  black 

in  $ PASSER,  8. 

pp.  Native  birds,  much  streaked  below. 

q.  Inner  claw  reaching  at  least  half  way  to  tip  of 
middle  claw  ;  tail,  wings,  etc.,  with  much 
chestnut  red ;  wings  more  than  3 ;  no  ruff 

PASSERELLA,  18, 


FRINGILLID^E.  —  XXXTTT.  81 

qq.  Olivaceous  ;  uo  black  nor  chestnut  ;  wings  more 

than  3  ;  secondaries  not  lengthened  ;  a  ruff  at 

base  of  bill.        .  S  of  CARPODACUS,  3 

qqq.  Inner  secondaries  lengthened,  about  as  long  as 

primaries  ;  wings  less  than  3  ;  no  ruff. 

PASSEBCULUS,  9, 
We.  Wings  little  if  any  longer  than  tail. 

r.  Tail  feathers  very  slender,  rather  stiff  and  sharp 
pointed  .....       AMMODROMUS,  11, 
rr.  Tail  feathers  not  rigid  and  sharp  pointed. 
s.  Sharply  streaked  below.     .        .      MELOSPIZA,  15. 
ss.  Xot  streaked  below  (when  adult.) 
t.  Grown  chestnut  in  adult  (streaky  in  young)  ;  no 

yellow. 

u.  Tail  rounded  ;  length  about  5|  ;  wings  and  tail 
less  than  2-£  ;  sharply  streaked  above. 

MELOSPIZA,  15. 

uu.  Tail  forked  ;  length  5  to  61  ;  wings  and  tail 

2i  to  3  ;  tarsus  j  to  f  .       .        SPTZELLA,  14. 

ti.  Crown  not  chestnut  in  adult,  often  partially  so 

in  young. 

«.  Head  striped  ;  length  more  than  G  ;  tarsus 

more  than  f  .       .       .       ZONOTRICHIA,  13. 

vo.  Length  less  than  6;  bend  of  wing  yellowish. 

16. 


1.  HESPERIPHONA,  Bonaparte.     EVENING  GROSBEAKS. 
1.  H.  vespertina,  (Coop.)  Bon.     EVENING  GROSBEAK. 
Olivaceous;  crown,  wings,  tail  and  tibia  black;  forehead 
and  crissum  yellow;  bill  very  large,  yellowish;  L.  8;  W. 
4£;  T.  2|.     Western,  E.  to  Ohio,  etc. 

2,  PINICOLA,  Vieillot.     PINE  GROSBEAKS. 
1.  P.  enuc/eator,  (L.)  Vieill.      PINE   GROSBEAK.      $ 
chiefly  red;  white  wing  bars;  $  ashy  gray  with  brownish 
yellow  on  head  and  rump;  L.  8|;  W  4£;  T.  4:.     North- 
ward, S.  in  winter;  in  pine  woods,  etc. 


82  BIRDS. 

3.  CARPODACUS,  Kaup.  PURPLE  FINCHES. 
1.  C.  purpureus,  (Gmel.)  Gray.  PURPLE  FINCH.  Every 
where  streaky;  $  flushed  with  red,  most  intense  on  the 
crown,  fading  below  and  behind;  $  olive  brown  with 
no  red;  bill  stout;  L.  6;  W.  3£;  T.  2±.  U.  S.,  a  fine 
songster. 

4.  LOXIA,  Linnaeus.     CROSSBILLS. 

1.  L  leucoptera,  (Gmel.)   WHITE  WINGED  CROSSBILL. 
$  rose  red;  white  wing  bars;  ?  brownish  olive,  speckled 
with  dusky;  rump  yellow;  L.  6£;  W.  3£;  T.  2£.    North- 
ern, S.  in  winter. 

2.  L  curvirostrar  L.    RED  CROSSBILL.    3  brick -red; 
wings  unmarked;  $  brownish  olive;  L.  6;  W.  3£;  T.  2£. 
Northern  regions  and  pine  woods;  S.  in  winter. 

5.  &GIOTHUS,  Cabanis.     LINNETS 

1.  JE.  linarius,  (L.)  Cab.     RED  POLL  LINNET.     Crown 
crimson  in  both  sexes;  throat,  breast  and  rump  also  rosy 
in  3;  much  streaked  above;  chin  blackish;  L.  5f ;  W.  3; 
T.  2£.     Northern,  S.  in  winter,  in  flocks. 

2.  /E.  flavirostris,  (L.)  var.  brewsteri,  Ridgway.  BREWS- 
TER'S  LINNET.    No  red  on  crown  or  breast;  rump  rosy  in 
6;  yellow  in  ?;  L.  o£;  W.  3;  T.  2$.     Mass.,  lately  dis- 
covered. 

6.  CHRYS DMITRIS,  Boie.     GOLDFINCHES. 

*  Sexes  alike;  plumage  thickly  streaked  everywhere;  no  black 

on  head ;  bill  very  sharp.  (Chrysomitris.) 
1.  C.  p/'nus,  (Wils.)  Bon.  PINE  LINNET.  Plumage 
streaky  brown,  suffused  with  yellow  in  the  breeding 
season;  bases  of  quills  and  tail  feathers  yellow,  much 
as  in  the  female  Redstart;  L.  4|;  W.  2|;  T.  2.  N. 
Am.,  rather  northward,  but  liable  to  "  turn  up  "  any  where. 


FRINGILLID^E. — XXXIH.  83 

**  Sexes  unlike,  scarcely  or  not  streaked;  adult  s  with  black  on 
crown,  wings  and  tail.    (Astragalinus,  Cab.) 

2.  C.  tristis,  (L.)  Bon.  YELLOW  BIRD.  THISTLE  BIRD. 
AM.  GOLDFINCH.  $  rich  yellow;  rump  whitish;  wing 
bars  white;  white  spot  on  each  tail  feather;  $  more 
olivaceous;  fall  plumage  pale  yellow  brown;  young 
variously  ochraceous,  with  yellow  or  not;  L.  5;  W.  3; 
T.  2.  N.  Am.;  every  where. 

7.  PLECTROPHANES,  Meyer.     LONGSPURS. 

*  Bill  small,  with  a  ruff;  hind  claw  long  but  curved.    (Plectro- 
phanes.) 

1.  P.   nivalis,   (L.)   Meyer.     SNOW   BUNTING.     SNOW 
FLAKE.     In  breeding  season,  pure  white,  with  black  on 
back,  wings  and  tail;  bill  and  feet  black;  in  U.  S.  usually 
bill  pale,  and  white  of  body  clouded  with  clear,  warm 
brown;  L.  7;  W.  4J;  T.  3.     Northern,  S.  in  winter  to 
Ohio  R.;  a  beautiful  bird. 

**  Bill  larger,  without  ruff;  hind  claw  nearly  straight.    (Centro- 
pTianes,  Kaup.) 

2.  P.   lapponicus,   (L.)   Selby.     LAPLAND   LONGSPUR. 
$  with  head  and  throat  mostly  black;  a  chestnut  collar; 
back  black  and  streaky,  whitish  below;  outer  tail  feathers 
with  white;  legs  and  feet  black;  $  and  winter  birds  with 
less  black;  L.  6£;  W.  4;  T.  2f.     Northern,  S.  in  winter 
to  N.  Y.  and  Ills. 

3.  P.  pictus,  Sw.     PAINTED  LARK  BUNTING.     £  with 
head  and  upper  parts  mostly  black;    collar  and  under 
parts  rich  fawn  color;  legs  pale;  $  duller.     Northern,  S. 
in  the  interior  to  Ills,  and  Kans.;  rare.  (See  Addenda.) 

8.  PASSER,  Brisson.    HOUSE  SPARROWS. 

=  Pyrgita,  Cuvier. 
1.  P.  domesticus,  L.     ENGLISH  SPARROW.    $  cheetnut 


84  BIRDS. 

brown  above,  thickly  streaked;  ashy  below;  throat,  lores 
and  chin  black;  $  duller,  without  black;  feet  small;  L. 
6;  W.  2f ;  T.  2-J-.  Introduced  from  Europe;  abundant 
in  the  large  cities. 

2.  P.  montanus,  Auct.  EUROPEAN  TREE  SPARROW. 
"  Distinguished  by  the  chestnut  crown,  and  the  similarity 
of  both  sexes  and  the  young."  Introduced  with  preced- 
ing, and  abundant  in  St.  Louis  (Dr.  J.  C.  Merrill),  and 
perhaps  other  places. 

9.  PASSERCULUS,  Bonaparte.     SAVANNA  SPARROWS. 

1.  P.    savanna,    (Wils.)  Bon.      SAVANNA    SPARROW. 
Sharply  streaked;  streaks  on  back  blackish;  superciliary 
line  and  edge  of  wing  yellowish;   L.  5J;  W.  2f;  T.  2. 
N.  Am.,  abundant  on  plains  and  shores. 

2.  P.  princeps,  Maynard.    IPSWICH  SPARROW.    Streaks 
on  back  sandy  brown,  not  sharply  denned;  superciliary 
line  white  in  front;  L.  6;  W.  3£;  T.  2£.     Mass.,  lately 
discovered. 

10.  PO(ECETES,  Baird.     GRASS  SPARROWS. 

1.  P.  gramineus,  (Gm.)  Baird.  BAY -WINGED  BUNT- 
ING. GRASS  SPARROW.  GROUND  BIRD.  Thickly  streaked 
everywhere;  slightly  buffy  below;  L.  6;  W.  8;  T.  2£. 
N.  Am.,  abundant  in  fields,  etc.,  and  known  at  once  by 
the  chestnut  bend  of  wing  and  white  outer  tail  feathers. 

//.  AMMODROMUS,  Swainson.     SHORE  SPARROWS. 

*  Bill  stout ;  tail  feathers  acute  but  not  rigid ;  crown  with  a  medium 
light  stripe ;  inland  species.    (Coturniculus,  Bon.) 

1.  A.  passerinus,  (Wils.)  Baird.  YELLOW -WINGED 
SPARROW.  Much  streaked  above;  feathers  edged  with 
bay;  breast  buffy,  unstreaked;  wings  and  tail  short;  edge 


:.  —  XXXTTTT  85 


and  bend  of  wing  and  line  over  eye  yellow;  L.  5;  W. 
2f  ;  T.  2.     U.  S.,  in  fields;  notes  sharp,  grasshopper-like. 

2.  A.  henslowi,  (Aud.)  Baird.     HE,XSLOW'S  SPAKROW. 
Smaller;    more   yellow   above;    breast,  etc.,  with    some 
sharp   black   streaks;   L.  5;   W.  2£;   T.  2|.     E.  U.  S., 
scarce;  N.  to  Mass. 

3.  A.  lecontei,  (Aud.)  Baird.     LECOXTE'S  SPARROW. 
Intermediate  between  the  preceding  and  the  next;  bill 
small,  blue-black;   back  with  rufous;  tail  feathers  very 
sharp    and   slender;    breast    unspotted,    a   broad    buffy 
superciliary  stripe;  L.  4f  ;  W.  2^;  T.  2^-.     Chicago,  Ills. 
(E.  W.  Nelson)  to  Texas  and  N.  W.  ;  very  rare. 

**  Bill  long  and  slender;  tail  feathers  sharp  and  rather  stiff;  sea- 
shore Sparrows.     (Ammodromus.) 

4.  A.  maritimus,  (Wils.)  Sw.    SEA-SIDE  FIXCH.     Olive 
gray;  back  obscurely  streaked;  a  yellow  spot  over  eye; 
L.  6;  W.  2£;  T.  2,     Salt  marshes,  Atlantic  coast. 

5.  A.  caudacutus,  (Gm.)  Sw.     SHARP-TAILED  FIXCH. 
Back    sharply   streaked;    no   yellow    spot   over   eye,    a 
bright   buff   superciliary    stripe;    L.    5;  W.  2£;    T.  If. 
Atlantic  coast. 

Var.  nelsoni,  Allen.  NELSOX'S  SHARP-TAILED  FIXCH. 
Shores  of  Lake  Michigan  about  Chicago  ;  common. 
(E.  W.  Nelson.) 

12.  CHONDESTES,  Swainson.     LARK  SPARROWS. 

1.  C.  grammaca,  (Say.)  Bon.  LARK  FIXCH.  Streaked 
above,  ashy  below;  crown  and  ear  coverts  chestnut, 
blackening  on  forehead,  with  whitish  median  and  super- 
ciliary stripes;  black  lines  through  and  below  eye;  and 
a  conspicuous  black  line  on  each  side  of  the  white 
throat;  a  black  pectoral  spot;  middle  tail  feathers  like 
back,  the  rest  blackish,  white  tipped;  L.  6£;  W.  3£;  T. 


86  BIRDS. 

3.    Western,  E.  to  Ohio;  abundant  on  prairies  and  river 
bluffs;  a  fine  songster. 

13.    ZONOTRICHIA,    Swainson.     WHITE  -  CROWNED 
SPARROWS. 

1.  Z.   leucophrys,    (Forst.)    Sw.     WHITE  -  CROWNED 
SPARROW.      Streaked  above,   with  but  little   chestnut; 
crown  with  a  broad  white  median  band,  a  narrow  black 
one  and  a  white  one  on  each  side  of  it;  no  yellow  any 
where;  throat  like  breast;  young  with  the  crown  chiefly 
rich  brown;  L.  7;  W.  3^;  T.  3^.     N.  Am.;  less  common 
than  the  next. 

2.  Z.  albicollis,  (Gm.)  Bon.    WHITE-THROATED  SPAR- 
ROW.    PEABODY  BIRD.     Much  chestnut  streaking  above ; 
crown  "black,  with  white  median  and  superciliary  stripes; 
spot  over  eye  and  edge  of  wing  always  yellow;   ashy 
below,  whitening  on  throat;    $  duller;  L.  7;  W.  3;  T. 
3-jr.     E.  N.  Am.;  an  abundant  and  handsome  sparrow. 

3.  Z.    querula,    ( Nutt. )    Gambel.      BLACK  -  HOODED 
SPARROW.    Crown,  face  and  throat  jet  black;  no  yellow; 
?   with   less   black;    L.    7£;   W.    3£;    T.   3J.     Missouri 
region,  E.  to  Minn. 

14.  SPIZELLA,  Bonaparte.     CHIPPING  SPARROWS. 

1.  S.    monticola,    (Gm.)     Baird.      TREE    SPARROW. 
Streaked   above ;    crown    chestnut ;    bill   black   above, 
yellow  below;  neck,  line  over  eye  and  under  parts  ashy 
gray;  a  dark  pectoral  blotch;  white  wing  bars;    L.  6^; 
W.  3;  T.  3.     N.  Am.,  chiefly  northerly;  U.  S.  in  winter. 

2.  S.  pusilla,  (Wils.)  Bon.    FIELD  SPARROW.    General 
color  of  preceding,  but  paler  and  duller;  bill  pale;  wing 
bands  rather  obscure;  L.  5£;  W.  2£;  T.  2£.     E.  U.  S., 
abundant.     \_S.  agrestis,  (Bart.)  Coues.] 


FBINGILLID^.  — XXXin.  8T 

3.  $.    soc/a//s,   (Wils.)   Bon.     CHIPPY.     HAIR   BIRD. 
Streaked  above,  with  much  dull  bay;  crown  chestnut; 
bill,  forehead  and  streak  through  eye  black;  ashy  below; 
L.    5J;    W.    2f;    T.    2£.      N.    Am.,   every  where.     [S. 
domestica,  (Bart.)  Coues.] 

4.  S.  pallidar  (Sw.)  Bon.     CLAY -COLORED  SPARROW. 
Still  smaller;  pale  brownish  yellow,  streaked  with  black; 
crown  grayish,  with  median  stripe.     S.  Ills,  and  W. 

15.  MELOSPIZA,  Baird.     SONG  SPARROWS. 

1.  M.  melodia,  (Wils.)  Baird.     SONG  SPARROW.     Much 
streaked  above,  and  on  breast  and  sides;  crown  with  an 
obscure  pale  median  stripe;  below  white,  pectoral  streaks 
often  forming  a  blotch;    L.  6£;    W.  2£;    T.  3.     U.  S., 
every  where;    a    well-known    songster.      [ M.  fasciata^ 
(Gmel.)  Scott,] 

2.  M.   pa/ustris,    (Wils.)    Baird.     SWAMP    SPARROW. 
Crown  chestnut;    wings  strongly  tinged  with  chestnut; 
breast  and  below  with  few  streaks  or  none;    tail  shorter 
than  in  the  Song  Sparrow;  L.  5f ;  W.  2£;  T.  2£.     E.  U. 
S.,  in  low  thickets. 

3.  M.    lincolni,    (Aud.)    Baird.      LINCOLN'S    FINCH. 
Every  where   thickly,    narrowly  and  sharply  streaked; 
breast   with  a  broad  band  of   pale  bufiy  or  yellowish 
brown;  sides  washed  with  the  same;  L.  5^-;  W.  2£;  T. 
2-J-.     N.  Am.,  rare  eastward;  a  shy  species  quite  unlike 
the  others. 

16.  PEUC/EA,  Audubon.     SUMMER  SPARROWS. 

1.  P.  (Bstivalis,  (Licht.)  Cab.  BACHMAN'S  FINCH. 
Much  streaked  above,  ashy  below;  yellow  on  bend  of 
wing  but  none  on  head;  L.  6;  W.  2^;  T.  2%.  Southern, 
N.  to  Illinois. 


88  BIEDS. 

17.  JUNCO,  Wagler.     SNOW  BIRDS. 
1.  J.  hyema/is,  (L.)  Scl.     SNOW  BIKD.     ?  more  gray- 
ish; L.  6J;  W.  3;  T.  3.     E.  N.  Am.,  every  where  abund- 
ant, mostly  seen  in  winter.     (See  Addenda.) 

18.  PASSERELLA,  Swainson.  Fox  SPARROWS. 
1.  P.  iliac  a,  (Merrem)  Sw.  Fox  SPARROW.  Ashy 
above,  overlaid  and  much  streaked  with  rusty  red,  which 
becomes  bright  bay  on  rump,  tail  and  wings;  white 
below  with  large  arrow-shaped  spots  and  streaks,  numer- 
ous on  breast;  feet  stout,  with  long  claws;  L.  7;  W.  3£; 
T.  3.  E.  N.  Am.;  migrating  early;  one  of  the  hand- 
somest streaked  sparrows. 

19.  EUSPIZA,  Bonaparte.     BLACK-THROATED  BUNTINGS. 

1.  E.    americana,     (Grn.)    Bon.      BLACK  -  THROATED 
BUNTING.     Grayish  and  streaked  above;    wing  coverts 
chestnut;  line  over  eye,  maxillary  stripe,  edge  of  wing, 
breast  and  part  of   belly  yellow;   throat  patch  black; 
otherwise  white  below;    $  with  little  chestnut,  and  the 
black  reduced  to  a  few  streaks;  L.  6};  W.  3£;  T.  2J. 
Meadows,   etc.,    Conn,   to  Kansas,   chiefly  westward;   a 
handsome  bird  with  sleek  plumage,  and  a  peculiar,  but 
scarcely  musical  song. 

2.  E.  townsendi,  (Aud.)  Bon.     TOWNSEND'S  BUNTING. 
Upper  parts,  head,  neck,  etc.,  slaty  blue;    no  chestnut, 
and  little  yellow  or  black.     Smaller,  a  doubtful  species. 
Only  one  specimen  known  from  E.  Penn. 

20.  GONIAPHEA,  Bowdich.    BLACK-HEADED  GROSBEAKS. 

=  Hedymeles,  Cabanis. 

1.  G.  ludoviciana,  (L.)  Bowdich.  ROSE  -  BREASTED 
GROSBEAK.  $  with  head,  neck  and  upper  parts  mostly 
black,  with  white  on  rump,  wings  and  tail;  belly  white; 


FRINGILLID.E. — XXXIII.  89 

breast  and  under  wing  coverts  of  an  exquisite  rose-red; 
bill  very  stout,  pale;  $  olive  brown,  much  streaked,  with 
the  under  wing  coverts  saffron  yellow;  head  with  whitish 
bands;  L.  8£;  W.  4;  T,  3£.  E.  U.  S.,  abundant;  perhaps 
our  handsomest  bird,  and  one  of  our  most  brilliant 
songsters. 

21.  GUIRAGA,  Swainson.  BLUE  GROSBEAKS. 
1.  G.  carulea,  (L.)  Sw.  BLUE  GROSBEAK.  $  rich 
blue;  feathers  about  bill,  wings  and  tail,  black;  wing 
bars  chestnut ;  $  yellowish  brown,  with  whitish  wing 
bars;  L.  7;  W.  3£;  T.  2f.  -Southern,  N.  to  N.  Y.  and 
Wis.;  a  fine  songster. 

22.  CYANOSPIZA,  Baird.     INDIGO  BIRDS. 

1.  C.  cyanea,  (L.)  Baird.      IXDIGO  BIRD.     $  Indigo 
blue,   clear   on    head,  greenish   behind ;    $   plain  warm 
brown,  obscurely  streaky,  known  from  other  small  spar- 
rows by  a  dusky  line  along  the  gonys;  L.  of;  "W.  3;  T. 
2f.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant  in  summer;  a  tireless  songster. 

2.  C.  ciris,  (L.)  Baird.    NONPAREIL.    PAINTED  BUNT- 
ING.   $  head  and  neck  blue;  under  parts,  etc.,  vermillion; 
shoulders,  etc.,  green;  $  green,  yellowish  below;  L.  5-J-. 
Southern,  N.  to  S.  Ills.     (Nelson.) 

23.  CARDINALIS,  Bonaparte.  CARDINAL  GROSBEAKS. 
1.  C.  virginianus,  (Brisson)  Bon.  CARDINAL  GROSBEAK. 
RED  BIRD.  Clear  red,  ashy  on  back;  chin  and  forehead 
black;  crest  conspicuous;  $  ashy  brown,  more  or  less 
washed  with  red;  L.  8£;  W.  4;  T.  4£.  E.  U.  S.,  south- 
erly, N.  to  Mass,  and  X.  Wis.;  abundant.  A  brilliant 
songster,  much  sought  as  a  cage  bird. 

24.  PIPILO,  Vieillot.     TOWHEE  BUNTINGS. 
1.  P.  erythrophthalmus,  (L.)  Vieill.  CHEWINK.   MARSH 


90  BIRDS. 

ROBIN.  Black,  belly  white;  sides  chestnut;  outer  tail 
feathers,  primaries,  and  inner  secondaries  with  white;  $ 
clear  brown  instead  of  black;  L.  8£;  W.  3£;  T.  4.  E. 

U.  S.,  abundant  every  where. 

• 

FAMILY  XXXIV.  — ICTERIDJi;. 

(The  Orioles.) 

Primaries  9;  bill  with  the  commissure  angulated,  as  in 
Frinyillid(&,  but  usually  lengthened,  rarely  shorter  than 
head,  straight  or  gently  curved,  without  notch  or  rictal 
bristles;  culmen  usually  extending  up  on  the  forehead, 
dividing  the  frontal  feathers.  Legs  stout,  tarsus  strictly 
oscine.  Plumage  usually  brilliant  or  lustrous,  predom- 
inant color  generally  black,  often  with  red  or  yellow; 
females  usually  different,  smaller  in  size,  brown  or  streaky 
in  the  lustrous  species,  and  yellowish  or  dusky  in  the 
brightly  colored  ones.  Notes  usually  sharp,  often  richly 
melodious,  in  other  cases  harsh. 

Genera  about  twenty,  species  one  hundred,  all  Ameri- 
can, some  of  the  short-billed  forms  scarcely  distinct  from 
FrinyilUdce;  others  are  as  closely  related  to  StumidcB 
(Old  World  Starlings)  and  Corvidce.  There  are  three 
sub-families,  of  which  Agelcemce  includes  most  of  our 
species.  Icterince  includes  Icterus,  while  Scolecophayus 
and  Quiscalus  belong  to  Quiscalmce. 

I.  Tail  feathers  rigid,  acute;  middle  toe  and  claw  longer  than 

tarsus;  black  and  whitish  ($)  or  brownish,  streaked  (?);  bill 
short,  finch-like DOLICHONYX,  1. 

II.  Feathers  of  crown  bristle-tipped ;  tail  short,  its  feathers  acute ; 

yellow  below,  a  black  breast  patch;  bill  long.  STURNELLA,  5. 

III.  Lateral  claws  elongated;  black  or  brown,  yellow  on  head  and 

neck ;  length  more  than  8.      .        .        XANTHOCEPHALUS,  4. 

IV.  With  none  of  the  above  combinations  of  characters. 
*  Length  at  least  more  than  7. 


ICTERID^. — XXXIV.  91 

f  Bill  horn-blue,  very  acute ;  black  or  olivaceous,  with  orange 

or  yellow ICTERUS,  6. 

ff  Bill  blackish ;  plumage  every  where  streaked }  usually  a 
rusty  tinge  on  throat  and  bend  of  wing. 

?  of  AGEUEUS,  3. 
fff  Bill  jet  black;  plumage  in  $  black,  in  ?  duller,  streaky,  or 

plain  brown. 
\  Glossy  black ;  bend  of  wing  red,  bordered  by  bufly  and 

whitish $  of  AGEL^US,  3. 

\\  Black ;  head  and  neck  rich  lustrous  brown. 

3  of  MOLOTHRUS,  2. 

\\\  Iridescent  black  throughout ;    wings   scarcely  longer 
than  tail ;  length  more  than  10.         .        QUISCALUS,  8. 
\\\\  Black,  often  obscured  by  brownish  or  rusty;  no  red  or 
yellow ;  wings  longer  than  tail ;  length  9  to  10. 

SCOLECOPHAGUS,  7. 

**  Length  less  than  7. 
a.  Dusky  gray  brown ;  bill  blackish,  shortened,  finch-like. 

?  of  MOLOTHRUS,  2. 

aa.  Black  with  chestnut  or  orange  (4),  or  else  olive  and  yellow- 
ish (?) ;  bill  acute,  bluish  or  brown.       .        .       ICTERUS,  6. 

/.  DOLICHONYX,  Swainson.     BOBOLINKS. 

1.  D.  oryz/vorus,  (I,.)  Sw.  BOBOLINK.  REED  BIRD. 
RICE  BIRD.  *  in  Spring  black,  neck  buffy,  shoulders  and 
rump  ashy  white,  back  streaky;  $  and  fall  $  yellowish 
brown,  streaked  above,  —  dull  yellow  birds,  resembling 
sparrows  but  known  by  the  acute  tail  feathers;  L.  7£; 
W.  4;  T.  3.  E.  U.  S.,  abundant  in  meadows  northward, 
where,  in  the  breeding  season,  it  is  our  merriest  and  most 
delightful  songster.  Retiring  southward  in  the  fall,  it 
fattens  in  the  rice  swamps  and  becomes  a  "game  bird." 

2.  MOLOTHRUS,  Swainson.     Cow  BIRDS. 
1.  M.  ater,  (Bodd.)  Gray.     Cow  BIRD.     $  iridescent 
black,  head  and  neck  glossy  brown;  $  much  smaller. 


92  BIRDS. 

dusky  brown;  L.  ($)  8;  W.  4;  T.  3.     U.  S.,  abundant; 
noted  for  its  parasitic  habits.     \M.  pecoris  (Gmel.),  Sw.] 

3.  AGEL/EUS,  Vieillot.     RED-WING  BLACK  BIRDS. 

1.  A.  phceniceus,  (L.)  V.  RED -WINGED  STARLING. 
SWAMP  BLACK  BIRD.  $  glossy  (not  iridescent)  black, 
lesser  wing  covers  scarlet,  with  buffy  and  paler  edgings; 
$  dusky,  streaked;  L.  9;  W.  5;  T.  4.  U.  S.,  every 
where  abundant. 

4.    XANTHOCEPHALUS,   Bonaparte.     YELLOW  -  HEADED 

BLACK  BIRDS. 

1.  X.  icterocephalus,  (Bon.)  Baird.  YELLOW  -  HEADED 
BLACK  BIRD.  $  black  with  white  wing  patch;  head  and 
neck  rich  yellow;  $  smaller,  browner,  with  less  yellow; 
L.  10;  W.  5|;  T.  4£.  Southwestern,  E.  to  L.  Michigan. 

5.  STURNELLA,  Vieillot.     MEADOW  LARKS. 

1.  S.  magna,  (L.)  Sw.  MEADOW  LARK.  Brownish 
and  much  streaked  above;  chiefly  yellow  below,  a  black 
crescent  on  breast.  L.  10;  W.  5;  T.  3£.  U.  S.;  very 
abundant.  (S.  neylecta,  And.,  is  the  Western  variety, 
Illinois  S.  and  W.,  with  "  a  much  sweeter  song,"  and 
some  slight  differences  of  plumage.) 

6.  ICTERUS,  Brisson.     AMERICAN  ORIOLES. 

1.  I.   battimore,   (L.)   Daudin.      BALTIMORE   ORIOLE. 
GOLDEN  ROBIN.      FIRE  BIRD.      Black;    bend  of  wing, 
rump,  most  tail  feathers,  and  under  parts  from  the  breast 
orange  of  varying  intensity;    $  duller,  olivaceous  and 
yellow;  L.  7};  W.  3|;  T.  3.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant;  noted 
for  its  elaborate  hanging  nest. 

2.  L  spurius,  (L.)  Bon.     ORCHARD  ORIOLE.     $  black; 
rump,  bend  of  wing  and  lower  parts  deep  chestnut;  $ 


CORVID^E. — XXXV.  93 

yellowish  olive,  quite  small;  young  yellow,  with  various 
black  or  chestnut  traces;  L.  7;  W.  3£;  T.  3.  E.  U.  S., 
rather  southerly. 

7.  SCOLECOPHAGUS,  Swainson.     RUSTY  BLACK  BIRDS. 

1.  S.  ferrugineus,  (Gm.)  Sw.   RUSTY  GRACKLE.   RUSTY 
BLACK  BIRD.     $  glossy  black  and  rusty  in  autumn;  $ 
dusky,  lustreless;    bill    slender;    L.  9£;    W.   4f ;    T.  4 
E.  U.  S. 

2.  S.  cyanocepha/us,  (Wagl.)  Cab.     BREWER'S  BLACK 
BIRD.     $  black   with  green   lustre,   head  glossed  with 
purple;   $  dusky;  L.  10;  W.  5£;  T.  4J.    W.,  E.  to  Ills, 
and  Wis. 

8.  QUISCALUS,  Vieillot.     CROW  BLACK  BIRDS. 

1.  Q.  purpureus,  (Bartr.)  Licht.  CROW  BLACK  BIRD. 
PURPLE  GRACKLE.  Iridescent  black,  lustre  on  head 
purplish,  on  body  bronzy;  L.  13;  W.  5^;  T.  5£.  E.  U. 
S.,  abundant. 

FAMILY  XXXV.—  CORVID.E. 

(The  Crows  and  Jays.) 

Primaries  10;  first  about  half  length  of  second;  nostrils 
usually  concealed  by  tufts  of  bristly  feathers,  which  are 
branched  to  their  tips.  Bill  long  and  strong,  usually 
notched,  commissure  not  angulated.  Tarsus  oscine,  its 
sides  undivided  and  separated  from  the  scutella  in  front 
by  a  groove  which  is  either  naked  or  filled  in  with  small 
scales.  Voice  usually  harsh  and  unmusical. 

Birds  of  large  size,  the  largest  of  the  Oscines,  found 
almost  every  where.  Genera  about  forty;  species  one 
hundred  and  seventy -five.  Our  two  sub  -  families, 
Corvince,  the  Crows,  and  QarrulinCB  the  Jays,  are  usually 
readily  distinguishable. 


04  BIRDS. 

*  Tail  much  shorter  than  the  long,  pointed  wings.     (Cormnce.) 

f  Plumage  glossy  black CORVDS,  1. 

**  Tail  longer  than  the  short,  rounded  wings.    (Garrulince.) 
\  Conspicuously  crested ;  chiefly  blue ;  quills  black-barred. 

CYANURUS,  3. 
ft  Iridescent  black  and  white ;  tail  much  longer  than  wings. 

PICA,  2. 
\\\  Chiefly  gray,  no  blue ;  tail  scarcely  longer  than  wings. 

PERISOREUS,  4. 
/.  CORVUS,  Linnaeus.     RAVENS. 

1.  C.  corax,  L.    RAVEN.     Feathers  of  throat  stiffened, 
elongated,   narrow    and   lanceolate,   their  outlines  very 
distinct;    L.  25;  W.  17;  T.  10.     N.  Am.,  chiefly  north 
and  westward;  rare  E.  of  the  Mississippi.    Also  European. 
(C.  carnivorus,  Bartr.)' 

2.  C.   americanus,  Aud.     CROW.     Feathers  of  throat 
short,  broad,  obtuse,  with  their  webs  blended;   gloss  of 
plumage   purplish  violet;    head  and  neck  scarcely  lus- 
trous; L.  20;  W.  13;  T.  8.     E.  N.  Am.,  chiefly  eastward; 
abundant.     (C.  frugivorus,  Bartr.) 

3.  C.    ossifragus,  Wilson.      FISH   CROW.      Gloss   of 
plumage  green  and  violet,  evident  on  head  and  neck; 
L.  16;  W.  11;  T.  7.     New  England  to  Florida,  chiefly 
southern,  and  found  only  along  the  coast.    (C.  maritimus, 
Bartr.) 

2.  PICA,  Cuvier.     MAGPIES. 

1.  P.  melanoleuca  (Vieill.)  var.  hudsonica,  (Sab.)  Coues. 
MAGPIE.  Lustrous  black;  belly,  shoulders,  and  wing- 
edgings  white;  L.  19;  W.  8£;  T.  13,  much  graduated. 
Western,  E.  to  L.  Michigan. 

3.  CYANURUS,  Swainson.     BLUE  JAYS. 
1.  C.  cristatus,  (L.)  Sw.      BLUE  JAY.      Blue;    collar 
and  frontlet  black;  grayish  below;  wings  and  tail  clear 


TYP.ANNIIXE.  —  XXXVI.  /  {•       05 

' 


/     •  ' 


blue,  barred;  outer  tail  feathers  and  sexsondari^s,  tipped 
with  white;  L.  12;  W.  5£;  T.  of.     N.E.  Am.,  abuiM/njtv 

4.  PERISOREUS,  Bonaparte.     GRAY  JAYS.  '-  ( 

1.  P.  canadensis,  (L.)  Bon.  CANADA  JAY.  WHISKEY 
JACK.  Ashy  gray  with  blackish  and  whitish  markings; 
L.  lOf ;  W.  of;  T.  6.  Northern,  S.  to  New  England  in 
Winter. 

FAMILY  XXXVI.— TYRANNULE. 

*  (The  Flycatchers.) 

Primaries  10;  first  more  than  f  length  of  second,  and 
one  or  more  of  them  often  attenuate ;  bill  broad,  triangu- 
lar, depressed,  abruptly  hooked  and  notched  at  tip,  with 
long  rictal  bristles;  commissure  nearly  straight;  nostrils 
small,  usually  partly  concealed.  Tarsus  "  ckmatorial," 
the  scutella  extending  around  its  back.  Feet  small,  for 
perching.  Mouth  capacious;  notes  simple,  often  pleas- 
ant; changes  of  plumage  slight;  ours  mostly  olivaceous. 

A  large  family  of  eighty  genera,  and  more  than  three 
hundred  species;  all  American  and  mostly  tropical.  All 
are  insectivorous,  most  of  them  pre-eminently  so;  they 
are,  therefore,  in  our  latitude,  migratory. 

*  First  primaries  evidently  attenuate ;  crown  with  concealed  bright 

red  or  yellow  crest  (in  adult). 
f  Tail  widely  forked,  about  twice  as  long  as  wings. 

MILVULUS,  1. 

ft  Tail  nearly  even,  shorter  than  wings.    .        .     TYRASTSUS,  2. 
**  First  primaries  not  obviously  attenuate ;  crown  plain,  some- 
times crested, 
t  Wings  edged  with  chestnut,  not  much  longer  than  tail ;  length 

8  or  more MYIARCHUS,  3. 

\\  Wings  not  chestnut-edged,  not  much  longer  than  tail ;  tarsus 
longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  bill  black;  length  61 
to  7i SAYORNIS,  4. 


96  BIRDS. 

ttt  Wings  louger  than  tail;  tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and 
claw;  bill  not  all  black;  length  6  or  more.  CCWTOPUS,  5. 

$m  Wings  not  much  longer  than  tail;  middle  toe  and  claw  not 
longer  than  tarsus ;  bill  mostly  pale  below ;  length  3i  or 
less EMPIDONAX,  6. 

/.  MILVULUS,  Swainson.     FORK -TAILED  FLYCATCHERS. 

1.  H.   forficatus,  (Gm.)  Sw.      SCISSOR  -  TAIL.      Ashy, 
tail,  shoulders,  sides,  etc.,  with  much  red;  L.  13;  W.  5; 
T>  8.     S.  W.,  N.  to  Kansas,  straying  to  New  Jersey. 

2.  M.  tyrannus,  (L.)  Bon.   FORK  -  TAILED  FLYCATCHER. 
Larger.,  no  red,  tail  still  more  elongate.     Tropical,  stray- 
ing to  N.  J.  arid  La. 

•     2.  TYRANNUS,  Cuvier.    KING  BIRDS. 

1.  T,   carolinensis,   (L.)   Baird.      KING   BIRD.      BEE 
MARTIN.     Blackish  ash,  white  below ;  tail  black,  white  - 
tipped;  L.  8J;  W.  4| ;  T.  3£.     U.  S.,  chiefly  eastward; 
abundant.     "  Destroys   a  thousand  noxious   insects   for 
every  bee  it  eats! "     (Coues.) 

2.  T.  verticalis,  Say.     ARKANSAS  FLYCATCHER.    Belly 
yellow;  tail  white-edged.    Western,  straying  to  N.  J. 

3.  MYIARCHUS,  Cabanis.     CRESTED  FLYCATCHERS. 

1.  M.  crinitus,  (L.)  Cab.  GREAT  CRESTED  FLYCATCHER. 
Scarcely  crested;  olivaceous,,  yellow  below,  with  Bright 
chestnut  on  wings  and  tail;  L.  8f;  W.  4;  T.  4.  E.U. 
S.:  chiefly  southerly,  N.  to  N.  Wis.  A  handsome  bird, 
"noted  for  the  habitual  use  of  cast-off  snake  skins  in 
the  structure  of  its  nest." 

4^  SAYORNIS,  Bonaparte.     PEWEES. 

1.  S.  fuscus,  (Gm.)  Baird.  PEWEE.  PIKEBE.  PETYTT. 
Olive  brown,  head  and  tail  darker;  yellow  below,  more 


TYEANNED^E. — XXXVI.  97 

or  less;  L.  7;  W.  3£;  T.  3£.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant;  known 
by  its  black  bill. 

5.  CONTOPUS,  Cabanis.    WOOD  PEWEES. 

1.  C.  borealis,  (Sw.)  Baird.    OLIVE-SIDED  FLYCATCHEK. 
Rictal  bristles  short,  one-fourth  length  of  bill;   tuft  of 
white  cottony  feathers  on  sides  very  conspicuous;  middle 
line  of  belly  distinctly  and  abruptly  white;    otherwise 
olive  brown,  paler  or  yellowish  below;    L.  7-J;  W.  4£; 
T.  3.     Northern,  S.  to  N.  Y. 

2.  C.  virens,  (L.)  Cab.    WOOD  PEWEE.     Rictal  bristles 
half  length  of  bill;    cottony  tuft   inconspicuous;    wing 
bands  whitish  or  rusty;    olive    brown  above;    pale   or 
yellowish  below;    lower  mandible  usually  pale;   L.  6J; 
W.  3f;  T.  3.     U.  S.,  very  abundant. 

3.  C.  richardsoni,  (Sw.)  Bd.    WESTERN  WOOD  PEWEE. 
Darker;    bill  dusky  below.     N.  W.,  E.  toWis.;    nearly 
like  the  preceding,  but  the  notes  and  nesting  different. 

6.  EMPIDONAX,  Cabanis.     LEAST  FLYCATCHERS. 

1.  E.  acadicus,  (Gm.)  Baird.     SMALL  GREEN-CRESTED 
FLYCATCHER.      Clear    olive    green,   wing   bands   buffy; 
whitish  becoming  yellowish  below;  yellowish  ring  about 
eyes;  bill  pale  below;    primaries  nearly  an  inch  longer 
than  secondaries;  2d,  3d  and  4th  primaries  nearly  equal, 
and  much  longer  than  1st  and  5th;  1st  much  longer  than 
6th;  L.  6;  W.  3;  T.  2f ;  Ts.  f ;  Tel.  f     E.  U.  S.,  frequent. 

2.  E.   iraillii,  (Aud.)   Baird.      TRAILL'S  FLYCATCHER. 
Olive  brown,  duller  than  preceding;    bill    pale   below; 
5th  primary  about  as  long  as  4th,  1st  not  much  longer 
than  6th;  middle  toe  f  length  of  tarsus;  longest  primary 
f  inch  longer  than  secondaries;   L.  5f ;  W.  2£ ;    T.  2£; 
Ts.  f ;  Tel.  f     U.  S. 


98  BIRDS. 

3.  E.  minimus,  Baird.      LEAST   FLYCATCHER.      Olive 
gray;    bill   blackish   below;    wings  like  preceding,  but 
longest  primary   but  ^  inch    longer   than    secondaries; 
middle  toe  half  as  long  as  tarsus;  bill  less  than  -J  inch; 
L.  5;  W.  2i;  T.  2£.     E.  N.  Am.,  abundant. 

4.  E.   flaviventris,   Baird.      YELLOW-BELLIED    FLY- 
CATCHER.    Clear  olive  green;  yellow  below,  becoming 
bright  yellow  (not  merely  yellowish  as  in  the  others)  on 
the  belly;  first  primary  about  equal  to  sixth;    feet  as  in 
acadicus;    bill  yellow  below;    L.  6J;  W.  2f;    T.   2£. 
E.  U.  S. 


OEDEE  H.-PICAELE. 

(Piearian  Birds.') 

Hind  toe  small,  sometimes  wanting,  occasionally  ele- 
vated ;  its  claw  shorter  than  that  of  middle  toe  (with  rare 
exceptions);  3d  and  4th  toes  often  with  less  than  the 
normal  number  of  joints;  2d  and  4th  toes  sometimes 
versatile.  Wing  coverts  larger  and  in  more  numerous 
series  than  in  the  Passeres.  Primaries  10,  first  rarely 
short;  tail  feathers  10  (8  to  12).  Musical  apparatus 
imperfect.  Sternum  non-passerine.  Tarsus  never  oscine. 
Nature  altricial.  A  highly  diversified  group,  the  mem- 
bers of  which  have  little  in  common  except  their  want 
of  resemblance  to  other  birds. 

FAMILY  XXXVIL— CAPRIMULGID^E. 

(The  Goatsuckers.) 

Bill  very  short,  "  fissirostral,"  the  gape  exceedingly 
deep  and  wide,  reaching  to  below  the  eyes,  and  usually 
with  prominent  rictal  bristles.  Wings  long  and  pointed; 
secondaries  lengthened.  Plumage  long  and  loose,  owl- 
like.  Tail  feathers  10.  Feet  very  small;  tarsus  short, 


CYPSELITLE. — XXXVIH.  99 

partly  feathered;  toes  slightly  webbed  at  base,  the  hind 
toe  somewhat  elevated.  Genera  fourteen;  species  one 
hundred  or  more,  widely  diffused;  chiefly  insectivorous. 
*  Tail  rounded ;  rictal  bristles  very  long.  .  ANTROSTOMUS,  1. 
**  Tail  forked ;  rictal  bristles  inconspicuous.  .  CHORDEILES,  2. 

/.  ANTROSTOMUS,  Gould.     WHIPPOORWILLS. 

1.  A.  vociferus,  (Wils.)  Bon.   WHIPPOORWILL.   NIGHT 
JAR.     Grayish,  much  variegated;  pectoral  bar  and  ends 
of   outer   tail    feathers  white  ($)    or   tawny    ($);    rictal 
bristles  unbranched;    L.  10;   W.   6;    T.   5.      E.  U.   S., 
abundant,  nocturnal;    noted   for   its    "solemn  and  pro- 
phetic" cry. 

2.  A.  carolinensis,  (Gm.)  Gould.   CHUCKWILL'S  WIDOW. 
More   reddish;  rictal  bristles  with  lateral  filaments;  L. 
12;  W.  9;  T.  6f     Southern,  N.  to  Ills.     (Nelson.) 

2.  CHORDEILES,  Swainson.     NIGHT  HAWKS. 

1.  C.  virginianus,  (Gm.)  Bon.  NIGHT  HAWK.  BULL 
BAT.  Blackish,  variegated;  a  large  wing  spot,  bar 
across  tail,  and  V-shaped  blotch  on  throat — white  in  £, 
tawny  or  obscure  in  ?;  L.  9£;  W.  8;  T.  5.  U.  S.; 
abundant.  [C.jwpetue,  (Vieill.)  Bd.] 

FAMILY  XXXVIII.— CYPSELID^E. 

(TJie  Swifts.) 

Bill  fissirostral,  as  in  Caprimulgidee  and  JEttrundinidce. 
Wings  very  long,  thin  and  pointed;  secondaries  very 
short.  Feet  small,  weak;  hind  toe  often  elevated  or 
otherwise  turned;  toes  completely  cleft.  No  rictal 
bristles.  Tail  feathers  10;  plumage  compact.  In  most 
species  the  salivary  glands  are  highly  developed,  and 
their  secretion  is  used  as  a  glue  in  the  construction  of 


100  BIRDS. 

the  nest;  species  of  Collocalia  thus  form  the  edible 
bird's  nest.  Small  birds  of  the  warmer  parts  of  the 
world,  bearing  a  superficial  resemblance  to  Swallows,  but 
structurally  very  different,  being  closely  related  to  the 
Humming  Birds.  Genera  six  or  eight;  species  about 
fifty. 

*  Tarsus  bare,  longer  than  middle  toe ;   tail  feathers  with  the 

shafts  spinous,  projecting  beyond  the  plumage. 

CH^ETURA,  1. 

/.  CHMTURA,  Stephens.     CHIMNEY  SWALLOWS. 

1.  C.  pelagica,  (L.)  Baird.  CHIMNEY  SWIFT.  Sooty 
brown;  throat  paler;  L.  5£;  W.  5;  T.  2.  E.  U.  S., 
abundant. 

FAMILY  XXXIX.  — TROCHILID^E. 

(The  Humming  Birds.) 

Bill  subulate,  usually  longer  than  the  head,  straight  or 
curved;  tongue  capable  of  great  protrusion.  Wings 
long  and  pointed,  the  secondaries  short,  only  six  in 
number;  tail  of  ten  feathers.  Feet  very  small,  with 
sharp  claws.  Smallest  of  all  birds  and  among  the  most 
brilliantly  colored.  Genera  seventy -five;  species  three 
hundred  or  more,  thus  forming  one  of  the  largest  families 
in  Ornithology.  All  are  American,  and  most  of  them 
tropical,  but  our  common  species  ranges  far  into  British 
America. 

*  First  primary  not  attenuate,  bowed  or  curved  inwards. 

TROCHILUS,  1. 

/.   TROCHILUS,  Linnaeus.     RUBY  -  THROATED  HUMMING 

BIRDS. 

1.  7".  colubris,  L.  RUBY  -  THROATED  HUMMING  BIRD. 
$  metallic  green  above;  a  ruby -red  gorget;  tail  deeply 
forked,  uniform  purplish;  $  without  red,  the  tail  vari- 


CUCULLD^E. — XLI.  101 

egated;    L.    3±;    W.   If;    T.   1±;    B.  f.      E.  N.  Am.; 
abundant  in  summer. 

FAMILY  XL.  — ALCEDINID^E. 

(jt/te  Kingfishers.) 

Head  large;  bill  long,  straight  and  strong,  usually 
longer  than  head;  gape  deep,  tomia  not  serrate.  Wings 
long;  tail  short.  Legs  quite  small;  feet  syndactyle — 
the  outer  and  middle  toes  united  to  their  middle,  a  con- 
tinuous sole  beneath;  tibia  naked  below.  Tail  feathers 
twelve.  Species  about  one  hundred,  chiefly  of  the  tropical 
parts  of  the  Old  World  and  Australia.  Many  of  them 
feed  upon  fishes,  and  nearly  ail  are  remarkable  for  their 
brilliant  coloration. 

*  Head  crested CERYLE,  1. 

/.  CERYLE,  Boie.     KINGFISHERS. 
>  Isplda,  Swainson. 

1.  C.  alcyon,  (L.)  Boie.  BELTED  KINGFISHER.  Ashy 
blue  above,  a  bluish  band  across  breast;  white  below; 
$  with  sides  and  band  across  belly  chestnut;  tail  barred 
with  white;  L.  13;  W.  6;  T.  3£;  B.  2,  or  more.  N. 
Am.;  everywhere. 

FAMILY  XLI.  —  CUCULID^E. 

(The  Cuckoos.) 

Bill  compressed,  lengthened,  decurved;  usually  with- 
out rictal  bristles  or  nasal  tufts.  Tail  long  and  soft,  of 
eight  to  twelve  feathers.  Tongue  not  extensible.  Feet 
zygodactyle,  by  reversion  of  fourth  toe.  Species  about 
two  hundred,  in  various  parts  of  the  world. 

*  Plumage  lustrous  olive  gray  or  drab ;  arboreal.       COCCYGUS,  1, 


102  BIRDS. 

/.  COCCYGUS,  Vieillot.     AMERICAN  CUCKOOS. 

1.  C.  americanus,  (L.)  Bon.    YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO. 
Bill   yellow    below;  wings    with    much    cinnamon    red; 
middle  tail  feathers  like  the  back;  outer  ones  black  with 
broad  white  tips;  L.  12;  W.  5£;  T.  6.     U.  S. 

2.  C.  erythrophthalmus,  (Wils.)  Baird.    BLACK-BILLED 
CUCKOO.     Bill  chiefly  black;  wings    with   little    or   no 
reddish;  tail  feathers  all  brownish,  obscurel"  whitish  at 
tips;  L.  Hi;  W,  5;  T.  6J.     E.  U,  S. 

FAMILY  XLII.  —  PICID^E. 

(The  Woodpeckers) 

Bill  stout,  usually  straight,  with  the  tip  truncate  or 
acute,  fitted  for  hammering  or  boring  into  wood.  Tongue 
long,  flattish,  barbed,  capable  of  great  protrusion,  adapted 
for  securing  insects  (except  in  Sphyrapicus) ;  hyoid  appa- 
ratus peculiar,  its  horns  generally  quite  long,  curving 
around  the  skull  behind.  Feet  zygodactyle,  outer  toe 
permanently  reversed;  hind  toe  present  (except  in  Pico- 
ides);  claws  compressed,  sharp  and  strong.  Tail  feathers 
12,  rigid  and  acuminate,  outer  part  short,  concealed;  tail 
never  forked;  nasal  tufts  usually  present. 

Chiefly  arboreal;  all  (except  Sphyrapicus,  which  is 
truly  a  "  Sap-Sucker,")  are  pre-eminently  insectivorous 
and  hence  they  are  of  the  greatest  service  to  the  farmer. 
Voice  loud  and  often  harsh.  Colors  generally  bright, 
the  male  at  least  having  almost  always  red  on  the  head; 
sexes  usually  slightly  different.  Species  two  hundred 
and  fifty,  abundant  almost  every  where. 
*Conspicuously  crested ;  length  18  or  more. 

—  Bill  and  nasal  feathers  dark.          .          HYLOTOMUS,  1. 

—  Bill  and  nasal  feathers  pale.         .         CAMPEPHILUS,  2. 
**  Not  crested ;  toes  3  only,  hallux  wanting.        .        PicoiDES,  4. 
***  jq-pt  pyested ;  toes  4,  length  lesg  \\\m  H> 


PICIIXE. — XT.TT.  103 

f  Tongue  obtuse,  brushy;  ridges  on  upper  mandible  running 

into  the  tomia ;  belly  with  some  yellow.     SPHYRAPICUS,  5. 

ff  Tongue  acute,  barbed;  ridges  on  sides  of  upper  mandible 

reaching  the  tip;  no  yellow;  quills  (in  ours)  with  round 

white  spots Picus,  3. 

fff  Tongue  acute,  barbed ;  ridges  on  sides  of  upper  mandible 

wanting  or  indistinct. 
\  Back  barred. 

a.  Belly  with  round  black  spots ;  feathers  of  wings  and  tail 

yellow  or  orange  beneath.        .        .         COLAPTES,  8. 

ad.  Belly  unspotted,  tinged  with  red  or  yellow;  no  yellow 

on  quills CENTDKUS,  6. 

Jf  Back  not  barred ;  body  lustrous  blue-black ;  rump,  second- 
aries, and  under  parts  white ;  head  and  neck  red  in  adults, 
grayish  in  young.  .  .  .  MELANERPES,  7. 

/.  HYLOTOMUS,B&ird.     BLACK  WOODCOCKS. 

1.  H.  pileatus,  (L.)  Baird.  PILEATED  WOODPECKER. 
LOGCOCK.  Black;  white  streak  down  neck;  crest  and 
cheek  patch  scarlet  in  $;  cheeks  and  front  of  crest  black 
in  ?,  L.  18;  W.  9|;  T.  7.  N.  Am.;  in  heavy  timber. 

2.  CAMPEPHILUS,  Gray.    IVORY -BILLED  WOODPECKERS. 

1.  C.  principalis,  (L.)  Gray.  GREAT  IVORY -BILLED 
WOODPECKER.  Black  with  white  markings;  crest  scarlet 
in  &  black  in  ?;  L.  21;  W.  11;  T.  8.  Southern,  N.  to 
S.  Ills. 

• 

3.  PIC  US t  Linnasus.     SPOTTED  WOODPECKERS. 

1.  P.  borealis,  Vieill.     RED  -  COCKADED  WOODPECKER. 
Black  and  white,  spotted  and  crosswise  banded,  but  not 
streaked;  a  red  line  on  each  side  of  head  in  $;  L.  8^; 
W.  4£;  T.  3^-.     Southern  States  in  swamps,  N.  to  Penn. 

2.  P.    villosus,  L.     HAIRY  WOODPECKER.     BIG  SAP- 
SUCKER.      Spotted    and   lengthwise    streaked,   but  not 


104  BIRDS. 

banded;  back  black  with  a  long  white  stripe;  outer  tail 
feathers  wholly  white;  L.  9;  W.  5;  T.  3£;  a  scarlet 
nuchal  band  in  $  only.  U.  S.;  everywhere. 

3.  P.  pubescens,  L.  DOWNY  WOODPECKER.  LITTLE 
SAP- SUCKER.  Much  smaller;  outer  tail  feathers  black 
and  white,  barred,  otherwise  precisely  like  the  other; 
L.  6|;  W.  3f ;  T.  2f.  U.  S.;  every  where. 

4.  PICOIDES,  Lacepede.     THREE  -  TOED  WOODPECKERS. 

1.  P.  arcticus,  (Sw.)  Gray.     BLACK  -  BACKED  WOOD  - 
PECKER.     Black  and  white;  crown  yellow  in  <$,  plain  in 
$;  back  uniform  black;  L.  9;  W.  5;  T.  3f.     Northern, 

5.  to  U.  S.  in  winter. 

2.  P.   americanus,   Brehm.      BANDED    THREE- TOED 
WOODPECKER.      Back  with  a  white  lengthwise  stripe; 
otherwise  as  above;  L.  8;  W.  4J;  T.  3^-.     Arctic,  S.  in 
winter  to  New  England. 

5.  SPHYRAPICUS,  Baird.     SAP-SUCKING  WOODPECKERS. 
1.  S.    varius,   (L.)   Baird.      YELLOW-BELLIED  WOOD- 
PECKER.     Black   and   white    above ;    black  on  breast ; 
chiefly  yellowish  below;  white  wing  patch;  crown  red  in 
adult,  chin  scarlet  in  $;  L.  8J;  W.  4f ;  T.  3£.     U.  S., 
abundant. 

6.  CENTURUS,  Swainson.    RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKERS. 
1.   C.  earolinus,   (L.)   Bon.      RED -BELLIED    WOOD- 
PECKER.    Grayish,  much  barred  above  with  black  and 
white;  crown  and  nape  crimson  in  £,  crown  ashy  in  $, 
belly  reddish-tinged;  L.  9f;  W.  5;  T.  3£.     E.  U.  S., 
rather  southerly;  N.  to  N.  Wis. 

7.  MELANERPES,    Swainson.       RED -HEADED    WOOD- 

PECKERS. 

1.  M.  erythrocephalus,  (L.)  Sw.    RED-HEADED  WOOD- 


ARIDJE. — XLIH.  105 

PECKER.     L.  9;  W.  5£;  T.  3£.     U.  S.,  E.  of  the  Rocky 
Mts.;  abundant. 

8.  COLAPTES,  Swainson.     FLICKERS. 

1.  C.  aurafus,  (I..)  Sw.  GOLDEN  -  WINGED  WOOD- 
PECKER. HIGH  -  HOLER.  YARUP.  Head  ashy,  with  red 
nuchal  crescent;  back  olivaceous,  barred  with  black;  rump 
white;  below  pinkish  brown  shading  into  yellowish,  a 
black  crescent  on  breast  and  numerous  round  black  spots; 
shafts  and  under  surfaces  of  quills  golden  yellow;  $  with 
a  black  maxillary  patch;  L.  12J;  W.  6;  T.  4|.  E.  U.  S., 
abundant. 

Var.  mexicanus,  (Sw.)  Snow.  RED-SHAFTED  FLICKER. 
Quills  with  orange  red  instead  of  golden;  maxillary 
patches  in  $  red  instead  of  black;  no  nuchal  crescent; 
no  yellowish  on  belly.  Western,  E.  to  Kas.,  etc.  Runs 
into  the  preceding,  through  C.  hybridus.  Baird. 


ORDER  I.-PSITTAOL 

(The  Parrots.) 

Bill  enormously  thick,  cered  at  base  and  strongly 
hooked.  Feet  zygodactyle  by  reversion  of  outer  toe, 
tarsus  reticulate.  Tongue  short,  fleshy;  upper  jaw  un- 
usually movable.  Altricial.  Plumage  often  brilliant.  In 
all  warm  regions;  species  three  hundred  and  fifty-four, 
nearly  half  of  which  are  American. 

FAMILY    XLIIL—  ARID^E. 

(The  Macaws.) 

Parrots  with  the  head  not  crested,  and  the  tail  long, 
wedge-shaped  or  graduated.     (Baird.) 
*  Culmen  rounded ;  face  entirely  feathered  except  a  curve  about 
the  eye ;  tail  shorter  than  wings.          .        .          CONUKUS,  1 


106  BIRDS. 

/.  CONURUS,  Kuhl.  PARROQTJETS. 
1.  C.  carolinensis,  (L.)  Kuhl.  CAROLINA  PARROQUET. 
Green;  head  and  neck  yellow;  face  red;  wings  with  blue 
and  yellow;  bill  white;  L.  13;  W.  7£;  T.  6.  Southwest- 
ern, formerly  N.  to  the  Great  Lakes;  now  nearly  exter- 
minated. 


OEDEE  J.-EAPTOEES. 

(The  Birds  of  Prey.) 

Bill  powerful,  cered  at  base,  strongly  hooked  at  the 
end.  Feet  never  zygodactyle ;  fourth  toe  sometimes 
versatile;  claws  long  and  sharp;  hind  toe  well  developed, 
rarely  elevated ;  tibia,  and  often  tarsus,  feathered. 
Primaries  10;  tail  feathers  12  (with  rare  exceptions). 
Altricial,  but  young  downy  at  birth.  Carnivorous  birds, 
generally  of  large  size  and  great  strength,  found  in  every 
part  of  the  world. 

FAMILY  XLIV.—  STRIGUXE. 

(The  Owls.) 

Head  very  large,  shortened  lengthwise  and  greatly 
expanded  laterally;  the  eyes  directed  forwards  and 
partly  surrounded  by  a  disk  of  radiating  feathers  of 
peculiar  texture ;  loral  feathers  antrorse,  long  and  dense ; 
feathers  on  the  sides  of  forehead  often  elongated  into 
ear  -  like  tufts.  Plumage  very  soft  and  lax,  rendering  the 
flight  almost  noiseless;  its  colors  blended  and  mottled  so 
as  to  render  minute  description  difficult.  External  ear 
very  large,  often  provided  with  a  movable  flap.  Outer 
toe  versatile;  claws  very  sharp,  long  and  strong.  Eggs 
nearly  spherical,  pure  white.  Chiefly  nocturnal.  Sexes 
colored  alike,  $  usually  the  larger.  Owls  are  found  in 
every  part  of  the  globe,  and  most  of  the  species  have  a 


STRIGID^E. — XLIV.  107 

wide  range.  Their  habits  are  so  well  known  that  I  need 
not  dwell  upon  them  here.  Genera  about  forty;  species 
one  hundred  and  fifty. 

*  Tarsus  naked  or  scant -feathered,  facial  disk  perfect;   no  ear- 
tufts;  middle  claw  pectinate;  iris  black.        .        STRIX,  1. 
**  Tarsus  fully  feathered, 
f  Head  with  evident  "  ear-tufts ;"  iris  yellow, 
t  Tail  about  £  of  wing ;  bill  blackish ;  length  more  than  18. 

BUBO,.  6. 

#  Tail  about  half  length  of  wing;  length  less  than  18. 
a.  Bill  pale ;  length  less  than  12.       ...        SCOPS,  5. 
aa.  Bill  dark ;  length  more  than  12.  .        .       .        OTUS,  2. 
ff  Head  without  evident  "  ear-tufts." 
b.  Tail  about  |  length  of  wing;  iris  yellow;  length  less  than 

12 NYCTALE,  4. 

bb.  Tail  about  f  of  wing;  length  18  or  more. 
c.  Pure  white,  with  dark  markings ;  toes  concealed  by  long 
feathers ;  facial  disk  incomplete ;  bill  black ;  iris  yellow. 

NYCTEA,  7. 
tc.  Grayish,  much  barred ;  facial  disk  complete ;  bill  yellow ; 

iris  black  or  yellow SYRNIUM,  3. 

bbb.  Tail  about  f  of  wing;  bill  yellow;  iris  yellow;  length 

about  16 SURNIA,  8. 

***  Tarsus  long,  sparsely  bristly ;   facial  disk  imperfect ;   middle 
claw  simple SPEOTYTO,  9. 

/.  STRIX,  Linnaeus.     BARN  OWLS. 

1.  S.  flammea,  (L.)  var.  prafinco/a,  (Bon.)  Ridg.  BARN 
OWL.  Face  elongated;  reddish  or  tawny,  much  vari- 
egated; L.  17;  W.  13;  T.  5|.  U.  S.,  rather  southerly. 

2.  OTUS,  Cuvier.     EARED  OWLS. 

1.  0.  vulgaris,  (L.)  var.  wi/sonianus,  (Less.)  Allen. 
LONG-EARED  OWL.  Ear  tufts  well  developed,  of  8  to 


108  BIRDS. 

12    feathers;    outer    primary    only   emarginate;    much 
variegated;  L.  15;  W.  12;  T.  6.     U.  S. 

2.  0.  brachyotus,  (Gm.)  Steph.  SHORT -EARED  OWL. 
Ear  tufts  small  and  inconspicuous;  two  outer  primaries 
emarginate;  L.  15;  W.  12;  T.  6.  U.  S.  and  Europe. 
(jBrachyotus  palustris^  Auct.) 

3.  SYRNIUM,  Savigny.     BARRED  OWLS. 
*  Iris  black ;  5  outer  primaries  emarginate.    (Syrnium.) 

1.  S.  nebulosum,  (Forst.)  Boie.     BARRED  OWL.     Toes 
not  concealed;  olive  brown,  barred  with  white  above; 
breast  barred;    belly  streaked;  L.  18;  W.  14;  T.  9.     E. 
N.  Am.,  common. 

**  Iris  yellow;  6  outer  primaries  emarginate.    (Scotiaptex.) 

2.  S.   cinereum,  (Gmel.)  Aud.      GREAT  GRAY  OWL. 
Toes  concealed  by  long  feathers;  cinereous  brown  above, 
waved  with  white;  breast  streaked,  belly  barred;  largest 
of  all  our  owls;  L.  30;  W.  18;  T.  12.     Northern,  S.  in 
winter  to  N.  States. 

4.  NYCTALE,  Brehm.     SPARROW  OWLS. 

1.  N.  tengmalmii,  Gm.  var.  richardsonii,  (Bon.)  Ridg. 
TENGMALM'S  OWL.     Nostrils  sunken,  elongated,  opening 
laterally;  tail  more  than  half  wing;  general  color  choco- 
late brown,  variegated;  L.  10;  W.  ?i;  T.  4£.     Northern, 
S.  to  N.  U.  S. 

2.  N.  acadica,  (Gm.)  Bon.     SAW-WHET  OWL.     Nos- 
trils prominent,  nearly  circular,  opening  anteriorly;  L. 
8;  W.  5|;  T.  2f.     U.  S.,  rather  northerly. 

5.  SCOPS,  Savigny.      SCREECH  OWLS. 
1.   S.   asio,  (L.)  Bon.      SCREECH   OWL.      RED   OWL. 
Grayish,  speckled  and  barred,  or  else  with  the  grayish 
replaced  by  bright  reddish;  these  two  different  styles  of 


.  —  XLV.  109 


plumage  bearing  no  relation  to  age,  sex  or  season;   L. 
10;  W.  7;  T.  3£.     U.  S.,  abundant. 

6.  BUBO,  Dumeril.     GREAT  HORNED  OWLS. 

1.  B.  virginianus,  (Gm.)  Bon.  GREAT  HORXED  OWL. 
Black,  gray  and  buffy,  variously  mottled  and  barred; 
usually  a  whitish  half-collar;  ear  tufts  large,  their  feathers 
mostly  black;  L.  22;  W.  16;  T.  10.  U.  S.,  abundant; 
one  of  the  strongest  and  most  untamable  of  the  Owls. 

7.  MYCTEA,  Stephens.     GREAT  SNOW  OWLS. 

1.  N.  scandiaca,  (L.)  Newt.  SXOWY  OWL.  Pure 
white,  more  or  less  barred  with  blackish;  L.  23;  W.  17; 
T.  10.  Northern,  S.  in  Winter;  one  of  the  handsomest 
of  Owls.  (N.  nivea,  Auct.) 

8.  SURNIA,  Dumeril.     HAWK  OWLS. 
1.   S.  ulula,  (L.)  Bon.,  var.  hudsonica,  (Gm.)     Ridg. 
HAWK  OWL.     DAY  OWL.     Brown,  much  speckled  and 
barred;  L.  16;  W.  9;  T.  7.     Northern,  S.  to  Wis.  and 
Mass. 

9.  SPEOTYTO,  Gloger.     BURROWING  OWLS. 

1.  S.  cunicularia,  (Mol.)  var.  hypogcea,  (Bon.)  Coues. 
BURROWING  OWL.  Brownish,  much  spotted  and  varie- 
gated. L.  10;  W.  7i;  T.  4.  Fla.  and  Western  Plains, 
living  in  the  holes  of  prairie  dogs. 

•FAMILY  XLV.  —  FALCONID^E. 

(TJie  Falcons) 

Eyes  lateral,  eyelids  provided  with  lashes,  usually  a 
projecting  bony  eyebrow;  no  complete  facial  disk.  Toes 
always  naked,  and  usually  tarsus  also  ;  hind  toe  not 
elevated.  Head  fully  feathered  (except  in  the  Old  World 


110  BIRDS. 

Vulturince),  no  ear  tufts.  Base  of  stout,  strongly  hooked 
bill,  not  hidden  by  feathers.  Claws  very  strong  and  sharp. 
Plumage  usually  of  blended  colors,  barred  or  streaked; 
changes  considerable ;  $  usually  the  larger.  Genera  fifty, 
species  three  hundred,  abounding  every  where.  Their 
habits  are  too  well  known  to  require  description  here. 

I.  Tarsus  feathered  to  the  toes. 

a.  Tarsus  entirely  feathered ;  tail  12  or  more.      .      AQUILA,  12. 

aa.  Tarsus  with  a  narrow  unfeathered  strip  behind  ;  tail  less 
than  12 ARCHIBUTEO,  11. 

II.  Tarsus  reticulate  all  around. 

b.  Upper  mandible  toothed ;  under  notched ;  nostrils  circular. 

FALCO,  1. 
bb.  Tail  widely  forked;  outer  feather  twice  as  long  as  middle 

ones ;  colors  black  and  white.  .  .  NAUCLERUS,  3. 
bbb.  Claws  all  of  same  length,  rounded  beneath;  tibial  feathers 

close ;  plumage  compact,  without  after  shafts.  PANDION,  2. 
bbbb.  Tail  emarginate,  and  outer  feather  not  longer  than  middle ; 

head  and  tail  white  in  adult.         .        .        .        ELANUS,  5. 

III.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  only  (occasionally  "booted.") 

c.  Toes  not  webbed  at  all;  neck  feathers  lanceolate,  white  in 

adult HALIAETUS,  13. 

cc.  Toes  somewhat  webbed  at  base. 
d.  Nostrils  circular ;  tail  less  than  |  length  of  wing. 

ICTINIA,  4. 

dd.  Nostrils  oval ;  tail  more  than  §•  length  of  wing. 

e.  Tarsus  feathered  about  half  way  down  in  front,  the 

feathers  scarcely  separated  behind.         .         ASTUR,  7. 

ee.  Tarsus  feathered  less  than  one-third  down  in  front,  the 

feathers  widely  separated  behind.       .      ACCIPITER,  8. 

IV.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  and  behind. 

/.  Face  with  a  slight  ruff;  tarsus  twice  length  of  middle  toe ; 

upper  tail  coverts  white CIRCUS,  6. 

ff.  No  ruff;  3  or  4  outer  primaries  einargiuate ;  rump  not  white. 

BUTEQ,  10. 


FALCONID^. — XLV.  Ill 

fff.  No  ruff;  4  primaries  eniarginate;  tail  coverts  white;  tail 
black. ASTURINA,  9. 

/.  FALCO,  Linnjeus.     FALCONS. 

*  First  priinaiy  only  emarginate  on  inner  web ;  2d  longest,  1st 

shorter  than  4th ;  tarsal  plates  small ;  sexes  colored  alike, 
f  Tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe,  scarcely  feathered  below 
joint.    (Falco.) 

1.  F.   com  munis,  Gm.      PEREGRINE   FALCON.     DUCK 
HAWK.     Blackish  ash  with  paler  waves;  below  whitish, 
barred;  black  cheek  patches;  L.  16;  W.  13;  T.  7.     U. 
S.,  not  common. 

ff  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  feathered  for  some 
distance.    (Hierofalco,  Cuv.) 

2.  F.   sacer,  Forst.      GYRFALCON.      Tarsus  feathered 
half  way  down,  with  only  a  bare  strip  behind;  white  or 
ashy  with  dark  markings;  L.  24;  W.  16;  T.  10.    Northern 
regions  of  both  continents;  var.  islandicus^  S.  to  U.  S. 
in  winter.     (F.  gyifalco,  L.) 

3.  F.  mexicanus,  Licht.      LANIER   FALCON.      Tarsus 
feathered  ^  way  down;  general  color  brown;  L.  18;  W. 
14;  T.  8.     S.  W.,  E.  to  Ills. 

**  Two  primaries  emarginate  ,•  tarsal  plates  enlarged  in  front, 

appearing  like  scutella. 

$  Tarsus  about  equal  to  middle  toe ;  basal  joints  of  toes  without 
transverse  scutella.    (jEsalon,  Kaup.) 

4.  F.  columbarius,   L.      PIGEON   HAWK.     AMERICAN 
MERLIN.       Ashy    blue    or   blackish    above,   variegated 
below;  L.  13;  W.  8;  T.  5.     U.  S. 

\\  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe;  basal  joints  of  toes  with 
transverse  scutella.    (Tinnunculus,  Vieill.) 

5.  F.    sparverius,    L.      SPARROW    HAWK.       RUSTY  - 
CROWNED   FALCON.      Back   tawny;    wings   bluish   and 
black;  seven  black  blotches  about  head;  tail  chestnut, 


112  BIRDS. 

with  a  broad  black  band  in  $,  and  a  narrow  terminal  one 
of  white;  below  white  or  tawny;  L.  11;  W.  7;  T.  5. 
U.  S.,  abundant. 

2.  PANDION,  Savigny.     OSPREYS. 
1.  P.  haliaetus,  (L.)  Savigny.     OSPREY.     FISH  HAWK. 
Dark  brown;  head,  neck  and  under  parts  mostly  white; 
feet  very  large;  L.  24;  W.  20;  T.  10.     U.  S.;  feeds  on 
fishes. 

3.  NAUCLER US,  Vigors.     SWALLOW  -  TAILED  KITES. 

1.  N.  furcatus,  (L.)  Vig.  SWALLOW  -  TAILED  KITE. 
Lustrous  black;  head,  neck  and  lower  parts  white;  W. 
17;  T.  14.  Southern,  N.  to  Penn.  and  Minn. 

4.  ICTINIA,  Vieillot.     BLUE  KITES. 
1.     /.  subccerulea,  (Bart.)  Coues.     MISSISSIPPI  KITE. 
Chiefly  lead  blue,  wings  with  chestnut;  L.  15;  W.  12; 
T.  6^-.     Southern,  N.  to  Peiin.  and  Wis.      (I.  mississip- 
piensis,  Auct.) 

5.  ELAN  US,  Savigny.     WHITE- TAILED  KITES. 
1.  E.  glaucus,  (Bartr.)  Coues.     BLACK  -  SHOULDERED 
KITE.     L.  17.     Southern,  N.  to  S.  Ills.     (E.  leucurus, 
Auct.) 

6.  CIRCUS,  Lacepede.     MARSH  HARRIERS. 
1.  C.  cyaneus  (L.)  var.  hudsonius,  (L.)  Coues.     MARSH 
HARRIER.     Pale  bluish  or  brown;  rump  and  under  parts 
whitish;  L.  18;  W.  15;  T.  9.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

7.  ASTUR,  Lacepede.     GOSHAWKS. 
1.  A.  palumbarius,  (L.)  var.  atricapillus,  (Wils.)  Coues. 
GOSHAWK.      Slate  blue  with  white  superciliary  stripe; 
tail  with  four  dark  bars;  L.  24;  W.  14;  T.  11.     Northern, 
S.  to  U.  S.  in  winter. 


FALCONID^. — XLV.  113 

8.  ACCIPITER,  Brisson.     HAWKS. 
=  Nisus,  Cuvier. 

1.  A.   fuscus,  vGm.)  Bon.      SHARP  -  SHINNED  HAWK. 
"  PIGEON   HAWK."      Bare    portion   of    tarsus   in   front, 
longer  than  middle  toe;  tarsus  "booted"  in  $•    general 
color  dark  brown;  L.  12;  W.  7;  T.  6.     U.  S.,  abundant. 

2.  A.  cooper/',  Bon.      CHICKEN  HAWK.      Bare  tarsus 
shorter  than  middle  toe;  L.  18;  W.  10;  T.  8.     N.  Am. 

9.  ASTURINA,  Vieillot.     GRAY  HAWKS. 

1.  A.  niiida,  (Lath.)  var.  plagiata,  (Schl.)  Coues.  GRAY 
HAWK.  L.  18;  W.  10;  T.  7-J-.  Mexican,  straying  to  S. 
Ills. 

10.  BUTEO,  Cuvier.     BUZZARDS. 
*  4  outer  primaries  emarginate  on  inner  web.    (Buteo.) 

1.  B.  borealis,  (Gm.)  Vieill.  HEN  HAWK.   RED-TAILED 
BUZZARD.     Dark  brown;  much  barred  and  streaked;  tail 
bright  chestnut  red  above;  L.  23;  W.  15|;  T.  8£.     U.  S., 
common. 

2.  B.  lineatus,  (Gm.)  Jard.     RED  -  SHOULDERED  BUZ- 
ZARD.    Dark  reddish   brown,  variegated;  bend  of  wing 
orange  brown;  L.  22;  W.  14;  T.  9.      Smaller  than  the 
preceding,  although  nearly  as  long.  E.  N.  Am.,  abundant. 
**  3  outer  primaries  emarginate  on  inner  web.  (Craxirex,  Gould.) 

3.  B.  swainsoni,  Bon.     SWAINSON'S  BUZZARD.     Gray, 
variously  streaked,  usually  a  dark   area  on  throat  and 
breast;  tail  with  six  or  more  narrow  dark  bars;  variable; 
L.  20;  W.  16;  T.  8f     Western;  E.  to  Ind.  and  Mass. 

4.  B.  pennsylvanicus,  (Wils.)  Bon.     BROAD -WINGED 
HAWK.    Brown  above,  whitish  or  fulvous  below,  variously 
streaked  and  barred;  conspicuous  dark  cheek  patches; 
tail  with  broad  dark  bands  alternating  with  narrower 


114  BIRDS. 

pale  ones,  white -tipped;  L.  18;  W.  11;  T.  7.     E.U.S.; 
a  stout,  handsome,  though  small  hawk. 

//.  ARCHIBUTEO,  Brehrn.     SQUIRREL  HAWKS. 

1.  A.  lagopus,  (Brunn.),  var.  sancii-johannis,  (Gm.) 
Ridg.  ROUGH-LEGGED  HAWK.  BLACK  HAWK.  Chiefly 
whitish  but  sometimes  entirely  black;  L.  24;  W.  18;  T. 
10.  N.  Am. 

12.  AQUILA,  Mdhring.     GOLDEN  EAGLES. 

1.  A.  chrysaetus,  (L.)  GOLDEN  EAGLE.  Glossy  purplish 
brown;  head  and  neck  golden  brown;  quills  blackish; 
L.  36;  W.  25;  T.  16.  N.  Am.,  chiefly  northerly. 

13.  HALIAETUS,  Savigny.     BALD  EAGLES. 

1.  H.  leucocephalus,  (L.)  Savigny.  BALD  EAGLE.  Dark 
brown;  head,  neck  and  tail  white  (after  the  third  year); 
L.  36;  W.  25;  T.  14.  N.  Am.,  every  where;  feeds  on 
fishes.  "A  piratical  parasite  of  the  Osprey,  otherwise 
notorious  as  the  emblem  of  the  Republic."  (Coues.) 

FAMILY  XLVI.  —  CATHARTID^E. 

(The  New  World  Vultures.) 

Head  and  part  of  neck  bare.  Eyes  lateral,  not  over- 
hung; ears  small.  Bill  lengthened,  weak  and  but  little 
hooked;  nostrils  perforate.  Wings  very  long  and  strong, 
giving  a  strength  and  grace  of  flight  scarcely  excelled. 
Hind  toe  short,  and  elevated;  front  toes  long,  some- 
what webbed,  with  rather  weak  and  straightish  claws. 
Large  turkey -like  raptores,  without  the  strength  and 
spirit  of  the  hawks  and  owls;  "  voracious  and  indiscrimi- 
nate gormandizers  of  carrion  and  animal  refuse  of  all 
sorts,  hence  efficient  and  almost  indispensable  scavengers 
in  the  warm  countries  where  they  abound."  (Coues.) 


CATHAKTID^E. — XLVI.  115 

Two  species,  the  Condor  and  the  California  Vulture,  are 
among  the  largest  birds  of  flight  in  the  world.  All  are 
American,  the  Old  World  Vultures  ( Vulturince)  being 
Vulture -like  hawks.  Genera  five;  species  six  or  eight. 

*  Wings  very  long,  primaries  reaching  to  end  of  tail  or  farther; 
skin  of  neck  not  corrugated ;  a  tuft  of  bristles  in  front  of 
eye RHINOGRYPHUS,  1. 

**  Wings  short,  scarcely  reaching  middle  of  tail ;  skin  of  neck 
corrugated ;  no  bristles  in  front  of  eye.  .  CATHARISTA,  2. 

/.  RHINOGRYPHUS,  Ridgway.     TURKEY  BUZZARDS. 
<   Cathartes,  Illiger. 

1.  R.  aura,  (L.)  Ridg.  TURKEY  BUZZARD.  Black, 
lustrous  above;  skin  of  head  and  neck  red;  L.  30;  W. 
22;  T.  12.  N.  Am.,  abundant,  southward. 

2.  CATHARISTA,Vizi\\ot.    CARRION  CROWS. 

1.  C.  airata,  (Bartr.)  Gray.  CARRION  CROW.  Uniform 
dull  black;  L.  24;  W.  17;  T.  8.  N.  C.  to  Mexico; 
rarely  straying  northward. 


OEDEE  K-COLUMB^E. 

(The  Doves.) 

Bill  straight,  compressed,  the  horny  tip  separated  by 
a  constriction  from  the  soft  part.  Nostrils  opening 
beneath  a  soft,  tumid  membrane.  Frontal  feathers 
sweeping  in  a  strongly  convex  outline  across  base  of 
upper  mandible;  tomias  meeting.  Hind  toe  on  a  level 
with  the  rest  (except  in  Starncenas,  etc.),  the  others 
usually  not  webbed.  Tarsus  mostly  scutellate  in  front, 
elsewhere  reticulate,  the  plates  soft.  Head  small. 


116  BIRDS. 

Plumage  soft,  compact,  the  feathers  very  loosely  inserted. 
Altricial;  monogamous. 

FAMILY  XLVIL— COLUMBINE. 

( The  Doves.) 

Wings  long,  pointed.  Tail  never  forked,  of  12  or  14 
feathers;  male  with  the  neck  iridescent.  Species  about 
three  hundred,  found  in  most  regions,  but  most  abundant 
in  the  East  Indies.  Besides  the  following,  quite  a  num- 
ber of  species  occur  in  the  Southern  States.  The  com- 
mon domesticated  dove  (Golwnba  lima)  is  a  fair  type  of 
the  family. 

*  Tarsus  feathered  at  the  suffrage,  shorter  than  the  lateral  toes ; 
tail  very  long,  wedge-shaped,  of  12  feathers.     ECTOPISTES,  1. 
**  Tarsus  entirely  bare,  longer  than  the  lateral  toes, 
f  Tail  long,  pointed,  of  14  feathers;  length  more  than  10. 

ZEN^EDURA,  2. 
ff  Tail  short,  rounded,  of  12  feathers ;  length  less  than  8. 

CIIAM^PELIA,  3. 

/.  ECTOPISTES,  Swainson.     PASSENGER  PIGEONS. 
1.  E.  migratorius,  (L.)  Sw.   WILD  PIGEON.   Bluish  with 
reddish  and  violet  tinges,  reddish  below;  L.  17;  W.  7£; 
T.  8.     N.  A.,  abundant;  gregarious. 

2.  ZENSEDURA,  Bonaparte.     MOURNING  DOVES. 

1.  Z.  carolinensis,  (L.)  Bon.  MOURNING  DOVE.  TURTLE 
DOVE.  CAROLINA  DOVE.  Brownish  olive,  glossed  with 
blue  and  wine  color;  plumage  with  metallic  lustre;  L. 
12;  W.  of;  T.  6f .  U.  S.,  abundant. 

3.  CHAM/EPELIA,  Swainson.      GROUND  DOVES. 

1.  .C  passerina,  (L.)  Sw.  GROUND  DOVE.  Grayish 
olive,  with  bluish  gloss;  L.  6J;  W.  3£;  T.  2f.  Southern, 
N.  to  Washington,  D.C, 


MELEAGRID^E.  —  XLVIII.  117 


OEDEE  L.- 

(The  OaUinaceaus  Birds.) 

Bill  short,  stout,  convex,  horny,  not  constricted;  nostrils 
scaled  or  feathered,  cutting  edge  of  upper  mandible  over- 
lapping. Head  often  partly  or  wholly  naked,  sometimes 
with  fleshy  processes.  Legs  moderate,  stout;  hind  toe 
elevated  (excepting  in  Cracidce,  etc.),  smaller  than  the 
other  toes,  sometimes  wanting.  Tarsus  broadly  scutellate 
(sometimes  feathered),  occasionally  spurred  in  the  males; 
claws  blunt,  not  much  curved.  Wings  short,  strong,  con- 
cave; tail  various,  sometimes  wanting,  often  immensely 
developed.  Precocial,  often  polygamous. 

A  large  order  comprising  the  various  kinds  of  domesti- 
cated fowl  as  well  as  the  chief  game  birds  of  most 
countries. 

FAMILY  XLVIII.  —  MELEAGRIM). 

(The  Turkeys.) 

Large  birds,  with  the  head  and  neck  unfeathered, 
covered  with  scattered  hairs,  and  more  or  less  caruncu- 
late.  Bill  moderate;  nostrils  bare;  forehead  with  an 
elongate  fleshy  process.  Tarsus  spurred  in  male;  hind 
toe  elevated.  Tail  nearly  as  long  as  wing,  truncate,  of 
more  than  twelve  feathers.  Breast  of  male  mostly  with 
a  tuft  of  long  bristles.  Genus  one;  species  two.  M. 
ocellatus,  of  tropical  America,  and  the  common  Turkey. 

/.  MELEAGRIS,  Linnaeus.     TURKEYS. 

1.  M.  gallopavo,  L.  WILD  TURKEY.  Glossy,  coppery 
black;  L.  48;  W.  21;  T.  18£.  Canada  to  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, and  south  to  Mexico,  becoming  extinct  eastwards. 
The  domestic  Turkey  is  descended  from  a  Mexican 
variety. 


118  BIRDS. 

FAMILY  XLIX.  —  TETRAONID^E. 

(The  Grouse.) 

Nostrils  and  tarsus  densely  feathered.  Toes  usually 
naked.  Tail  various  with  sixteen  to  twenty  feathers. 
Usually  a  naked  strip  over  eye;  sides  of  neck  often  with 
a  bare  patch  or  lengthened  feathers,  or  both.  Genera 
seven;  species  fifteen;  chiefly  North  American. 
*  Toes  naked. 

f  Tarsus  feathered  to  the  toes. 

J  Tail  of  16  feathers;  colors  dark.        .        .        .    CANACE,  1. 
#  Tail  of  18  feathers. 

a.  Neck  without  peculiar  feathers;  middle  tail  feathers  pro- 
jecting  PEDICECETES,  2. 

aa.  Neck  with  peculiar,  elongated,  lanceolate  feathers  above 

a  large,  bare,  bright-colored  patch.     .     CUPIDONIA,  3. 

ff  Tarsus  feathered  about  half  way ;    tail  of   18  soft,  broad 

feathers. BONASA,  4. 

**  Toes  feathered ;  winter  plumage  pure  white.      .      LAGOPUS,  5. 

/.  CANACE,  Reichenbach.     AMERICAN  GROUSE. 
<   Tetrao,  L. 

1.  C.   canadensis,   (L.)   Reich.      SPRUCE  PARTRIDGE. 
CANADA  GROUSE.     Black  above  with  plumbeous  mark- 
ings; mostly  black  below  with  white  spots;  tail  with  an 
orange  brown  terminal  band;  $  smaller,  black  interrupted 
or  streaky;  L.  16;  W.  6f;  T.  5£.      Spruce  swamps,  N. 
U.  S.  and  Northward. 

2.  PEDKECETES,  Baird.     SHARP -TAILED  GROUSE. 

1.  P.  phasiariellus,  (L.)  var.  columbianus,  (Ord.)  Coues. 
SHARP -TAILED  GROUSE.  Chiefly  yellowish  brown  and 
white;  sexes  alike;  L.  18;  W.  8f;  T.  5.  Illinois  to 
Colorado,  N.  and  W. 


PERDICID^E. — L.  119 

3.  CUPIDONIA,  Reich.  PINNATED  GROUSE. 
1.  C.  cupldo,  (L.)  Baird.  PRAIRIE  HEN.  PRAIRIE 
CHICK  EX.  Sides  of  neck  with  a  tuft  of  long  pointed 
feathers,  beneath  which  is  a  patch  of  bare,  red  skin, 
capable  of  great  inflation;  black,  tawny  and  white,  barred 
and  streaked;  L.  17;  W.  9;  T.  4£;  ?  smaller.  Prairies, 
etc.,  Martha's  Vineyard  to  La.  and  N.;  nearly  extermin- 
ated eastward. 

4.  BONASA,  Stephens.     RUFFED  GROUSE. 

1.  B.  umbellus,  (L.)  Stephens.  PARTRIDGE  (North.) 
PHEASANT  (South.)  Crested;  sides  of  neck  with  a  ruff 
of  soft  black  feathers;  variegated,  reddish  or  grayish 
brown,  with  blackish  and  pale;  L.  18;  W.  7£;  T.  7.  E. 
U.  S.,  abundant  in  woodland. 

5.  LAGOPUS,  Vieillot.     PTARMIGANS. 

1.  L.  albus,  (Gm.)  Aud.  WHITE  PTARMIGAN.  WILLOW 
GROUSE.  Fore  parts  cinnamon  brown,  variegated  with 
blackish;  in  winter  pure  white;  bill  stout;  L.  16;  W.  8; 
T.  5.  British  America;  N.  U.  S.  (rarely,  in  winter.) 

FAMILY  L.  — PERDICID^E. 

(The  Partridfjes.) 

Nostrils  unfeathered,  protected  by  a  naked  scale; 
tarsus  bare  and  scutellate,  circumorbital  space  usually 
not  bare;  in  most  respects  similar  to  the  Grouse,  but 
smaller.  Our  species  are  crested  (excepting  the  com- 
mon Quail)  and  Western  or  Southwestern. 

/.  ORTYX,  Stephens.     BOB -WHITES. 

1.  0.  virgin/anus,  (L.)  Bon.  QUAIL  (North.)  PART- 
RIDGE (South.)  BOB -WHITE.  Forehead,  line  through 
eyes,  chin  and  throat  white,  brownish  yellow  in  $; 


120  BIRDS. 

crown  dark ;  plumage  generally  chestnut  red,  barred 
and  streaked;  L.  9J;  W.  5;  T.  3.  E.  U.  S.,  and  West 
Indies;  W.  to  Plains. 


OEDEE  M.-LIMIOOLJE. 

(The  Shore  Birds.) 

Tibia  more  or  less  naked  below  (sometimes  very 
slightly);  legs,  and  usually  neck  also,  elongated;  hind 
toe  free  and  elevated,  often  wanting.  Head  globose, 
abruptly  sloping  to  the  base  of  the  bill,  completely 
feathered  (except  in  Philomackus  $);  gape  short;  bill 
weak,  flexible,  more  or  less  soft  -  skinned,  and  therefore 
sensitive,  blunt  at  tip,  without  hard  cutting  edges  — 
fitted  for  probing  in  the  mud;  nostrils  slit-like,  surround- 
ed by  soft  skin,  never  feathered;  body  never  strongly 
compressed  or  depressed;  nature  precocial. 

Birds  of  medium  or  small  size,  more  or  less  aquatic; 
found  in  most  regions;  very  abundant  in  America. 

FAMILY  LI.  —  CH ARADRIID^E. 

(The  Plovers.) 

Head  rather  large,  nearly  globose;  bill  of  moderate 
length,  shaped  somewhat  like  a  pigeon's  bill,  with  a 
constriction  behind  the  horny  terminal  portion;  nasal 
fossaa  lined  with  soft  skin,  through  which  the  slit  -  like 
nostrils  open.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  usually  reaching 
beyond  the  tip  of  the  short  tail,  sometimes  spurred. 
Toes  usually  three,  with  basal  web;  tarsus  reticulated; 
tibiae  naked  below.  Sexes  similar,  but  seasonal  changes 
of  plumage  great.  Species  sixty  or  more,  in  most  parts 
of  the  world. 
*  Plumage  speckled ;  black  below  in  breeding  season. 


CHARIDKLLD^E. — LI.  121 

f  Hind  toe  present ,  very  short.     .        .        .        SQUATABOLA,  1. 

ff  Hind  toe  absent. CHARADRICS,  2. 

**  Plumage  not  speckled ;  head  and  neck  with  dark  bands  in  the 
breeding  season ;  toes  3 ^EGIALITIS,  3. 

/.  SQUATAROLA,  Cuvier.     WHISTLING  PLOVERS. 

1.  S.  helvetica,  (L.)  Cuv.  BLACK  -  BELLIED  PLOVER. 
Ox-EYE.  Grayish,  speckled;  black  below  in  breeding 
season,  at  other  times  white;  L.  11^-;  W.  7;  T.  3;  B. 
1£;  Ts.  2.  In  most  parts  of  the  world. 

2.  CHARADRIUS,  L.    GOLDEN  PLOVERS. 

1.  C.  fulvus  (Gm. )  var.  virginicus,  (Borck  )  Coues. 
GOLDEN  PLOVER.  FROST  BIRD.  Dark  and  grayish 
above,  profusely  speckled,  some  of  the  spots  bright 
yellow;  black  below  in  breeding  season,  at  other  times 
grayish;  L.  10£;  W.  7;  T.  3;  B.  1;  Ts.  If.  N.  Am.,  a 
well  known  game  bird. 

3.  /EGIALITIS,  Boie.     RING  -  NECK  PLOVERS. 
*  Bill  black,  rather  long ;  L.  8  or  more. 

1.  JE.  vociferus,  (L.)  Cass.    KILDEER  PLOVER.    Brown; 
rump  bright  orange  brown;  tail  with  black,  white,  and 
orange ;  two  black  bars  across  breast,  and  one  above  the 
white  forehead;  L.  9£;  W.  6£;  T.  3J.      N.  Am.,  abund- 
ant in  the  Miss.  Valley. 

**  Bill  black-tipped,  short  and  stout;  L.  7  or  less. 

2.  JE. '.  semipalmatus,  (Bon.)  Cab.    RING  -  NECK  PLOVER. 
Dark  ashy  brown;  black  bands  broad;  feet  semipalmate; 
L.  7.     N.  Am. 

3.  JE.  melodus,  (Ord )  Cab.     PIPING  PLOVER.     Very 
pale  ashy  brown,  clear  white  below;  dark  bands  narrow 
and  faint;    toes   slightly  webbed;    L.  6f.     E.  N.  Am., 
abundant  along  the  coast. 

6 


122  BIRDS. 

FAMILY  LIL  —  ILEMATOPODID^E. 

(The  Turnstones.) 

Bill  hard,  acute,  or  truncate;  nasal  fossae  short,  broad, 
and  shallow.  Legs  short,  stout,  brightly  colored.  Genera 
two,  not  much  alike;  species  six  or  eight;  in  most  parts 
of  the  world. 

*  Toes  3,  webbed  at  base ;  tarsus  reticulate,  shorter  than  the  trun- 

cate, compressed,  almost  woodpecker-like  bill. 

H^EMATOPUS,  1. 

**  Toes  4,  not  webbed ;  tarsus  scutellate  in  front,  as  long  as  the 
sharp,  pointed  bill STREPSILAS,  2. 

1.  HSEMATOPUS,  Linnaeus.     OYSTER  CATCHERS. 

1.  H.  palliatus,  Temminck.  OYSTER  CATCHER.  Ashy 
brown  and  blackish,  mostly  white  below;  L.  18;  W.  10; 
T.  4£;  B.  3.  Coasts. 

2.  STREPSILAS,  Linnaeus.     TURNSTONES. 

1.  S.  interpres,  (L.)  Illiger.  TURNSTONE.  Variegated; 
black,  white,  brown,  and  chestnut  above;  mostly  white 
below;  no  reddish  in  winter;  L.  8£;  W.  6;  T.  2J. 
Cosmopolitan;  abundant. 

FAMILY  LIIL  — RECURVIROSTRnLE. 

(The  Awcets.) 

Legs  excessively  long.  Bill  very  slender,  long,  acute, 
often  recurved.  Genera  three,  species  eight;  in  most 
parts  of  the  world.  Himantopus  is  said  to  have  the 
longest  legs  relatively  of  any  bird. 

*  Toes  4,  full  webbed ;  bill  recurved,  flattened,  tapering  to  a  needle- 

like  point;  plumage  beneath  thickened  as  in  ducks;  swim- 
mers  RECUR  VIIIOSTRA,  1. 

**  Toes  3,  semipalmate ;  bill  nearly  straight,  not  flattened. 

HIMANTOPUS,  2. 


PHALAROPODLDJE.  —  LIV. 


/.  RECURVIROSTRA,  Linnaeus.    AVOCETS. 
1.  R.  americana,  Gm.      AVOCET.      BLUE   STOCKING. 
White,  marked  with  black  and  cinnamon;  legs  blue;  L. 
18;  W.  8;  T.  3f     U.  S. 

2.  HIMANTOPUS,  Brisson.     STILTS. 
1.    H.   nigricollis,  Vieillot.      STILT.      LONG   SHANKS. 
LAWYER.     Glossy  black,  white  below,  legs  pink;  L.  15; 
W.  9;  T.  3;  Ts.  4.     U.S. 

FAMILY  LIV.—  PHALAROPODID^E. 

(The  Phalaropes.) 

Snipe-like  birds  with  the  toes  lobed,  as  in  the  coots 
and  grebes,  but  the  lobes  narrower.  Swimmers;  body 
depressed  and  the  under  plumage  thick  as  in  the  Ducks. 
Tarsus  much  compressed.  Three  species  representing 
as  many  genera;  of  northern  regions  of  both  hemis- 
pheres, southward  in  winter. 

*  Bill  flattened  ;  membranes  scalloped.  .  .  PHALAROPUS,  1. 
**  Bill  subulate  ;  membranes  scalloped.  .  .  LOBIPES,  2. 
***  Bill  subulate  ;  membranes  plain.  .  .  STEGANOPUS,  3. 

/.  PHALAROPUS,  Brisson.     RED  PHALAEOPES. 
1.  P.  fulicarius,  (L.)  Bon.    RED  PHALAROPE.   Variega- 
ted above,  purplish  chestnut  below;  young  white  below; 
L.  8;  W.  5;  T.  2f  ;  B.  1.     Northern  Am. 

2.  LOBIPESf  Cuvier.     NORTHERN  PHALAROPES. 

1.  L  hyperboreus,  (L.)  Cuv.  NORTHERN  PHALAROPE. 
Grayish  black,  variegated;  rump  and  under  parts  white; 
sides  of  neck  with  chestnut  stripe.  Northern  regions. 

3.  STEGANOPUS,  Vieillot.     PHALAROPES. 
1.   S.   wilsoni,   (Sab.)   Coues.     WILSON'S  PHALAROPE. 


124  BIRDS. 

Ashy  above,  variegated;  rump  and  under  parts  white; 
sides  of  neck  with  a  black  stripe  which  changes  to  chest- 
nut below.  Northern  regions. 

FAMILY  LV.  — SCOLOPACID^E. 

(The  Snipe.) 

Bill  elongated,  usually  longer  than  the  head;  if  short 
not  plover -like,  being  soft -skinned  throughout  (hard 
when  dry);  nasal  grooves  narrow  channels  ranging 
from  half  to  nearly  the  whole  length  of  the  bill; 
sides  of  lower  mandible  usually  also  grooved;  nostrils 
narrow  exposed  slits;  head  feathered.  Wings  usually 
thin  and  pointed ;  tail  short  and  soft ;  tibiag  rarely 
entirely  feathered.  Tarsus  never  entirely  reticulate  and 
usually  scutellate  in  front  and  behind;  hind  toe  present 
(except  in  Calidris);  front  *oes  cleft  or  slightly  webbed; 
size  medium  or  small.  Sexes  alike  or  female  slightly 
larger ;  seasonal  changes  in  plumage  often  strongly 
marked.  Eggs  usually  four,  placed  with  the  small  ends 
together  in  a  slight  nest  or  depression  in  the  ground; 
notes  various;  mostly  migratory  or  gregarious.  Genera 
fifteen  or  more,  species  about  ninety;  chiefly  of  northern 
regions,  but  some  species  in  most  parts  of  the  world. 

*  Toes  3 CALIDRIS,  8. 

**  Toes  4. 

f  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  only;  bill  slender,  decurved,  very 
much  longer  than  the  head.     .        ,       .      NUMENIUS,  15. 

ff  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  and  behind. 
\  Feet  semipalmate ;  toes  somewhat  webbed  at  base. 
a  Tail  barred  crosswise,  with  light  and  dark  colors. 
&.  Gape  not  reaching  beyond  base  of  culmen. 
c.  Culmen  furrowed ;  length  less  than  12. 

MACRORHAMPHUS,  4 


SCOLOPACID^E. LV.  125 

cc.  Culmen  unfurrowed ;  length  more  than  12. 

LlMOSA,  9. 

bb.  Gape  reaching  beyond  base  of  culinen. 
d.  Length  more  than  9. 

e.  Bill  longer  than  head.    .        .        .      TOTANUS,  10. 
ee.  Bill  not  longer  than  head. 
/.  Tail  more  than  half  the  length  of  wing. 

ACTITDRUS,  13. 
ff.  Tail  less  than  half  the  length  of  wing. 

PHILOMACHUS,  12. 
dd.  Length  less  than  9 ;  second  toe  unwebbed. 

g.  Bill  grooved  nearly  to  tip ;  back  not  speckled  with 
white ;  adult  with  black  spots  below. 

TRINGOIDES,  11. 

gg.  Bill  grooved  about  half  way  to  tip ;  back  speckled 
with  white,  not  spotted  below.    .    TOTANUS,  10. 
aa.  Tail  not  barred. 
Ji.  One  minute  web;  primaries  mottled  with  black. 

TRYNGITES,  14 
Till.  Feet  with  two  plain  webs. 

t.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head.      .      .      EBEHNETES,  6. 
ii.  Bill  much  longer  than  head.     .      MICROPALAMA,  5. 
$  Toes  not  webbed  at  all. 

.;.  First  primary  attenuate ;  bill  straight,  longer  than  head ; 
culmen  grooved SCOLOPAX,  2. 

jj.  First  three  primaries  attenuate ;  bill  as  in  Scolopax. 

PHILOHELA,  I. 

jjj.  Primaries  not  attenuate. 

k.  Bill  straight,  about  twice  as  long  as  head. 

GALLINAGO,  3. 

kk.  Bill  straight,  much  shorter  than   head ;    primaries 

mottled  with  black.     .        .        .       TRTNGITES,  14. 

kkk.  All  other  Sandpipers.        .        .        .        TIUNGA,  7. 

/.  PHILOHELA,  Gray.     AMERICAN  WOODCOCKS. 
1.   P.   minor,   (Gm.)   Gray.      AMERICAN  WOODCOCK. 


126  BIEDS. 

Variegated,  black,  brown,  gray,  and  russet;  below  warm 
brown;  eye  high  and  far  back;  L.  11;  W.  5;  B.  3;  T. 
1£.  E.  U.  S.,  in  swamps,  etc. 

2.  SCOLOPAX,  Linnseus.     EUROPEAN  WOODCOCKS. 

1.  S.  rusticola,  L.  EUROPEAN  WOODCOCK.  General 
appearance  of  Philohela,  but  a  third  larger.  European; 
accidental  on  our  Atlantic  coast. 

3.  GALLINAGO,  Leach.     SNIPE. 

1.  G.  wilsoni,  (Temm.)  Bon.  AMERICAN  SNIPE.  WIL- 
SON'S SNIPE.  Back  varied  with  black  and  bay;  crown 
black,  with  a  pale  median  stripe;  bill  straight,  very  long; 
L.  11;  W.  5;  B.  2£;  leg  naked,  3;  T.  2£.  E.  U.  S., 
abundant. 

4.  MACRORHAMPHUS,  Leach.      RED -BREASTED  SNIPE. 

1.  M.  griseus,  (Gm.)  Leach.  GRAY  SNIPE.  BROWN- 
BACK.  Blackish  and  grayish ;  breast  bay  in  summer; 
bill  long  nearly  as  in  Gallinago;  L.  11;  W.  5-J;  T.  2J. 
North  America;  abundant  coastwise. 

5.  MICROPALAMA,  Baird.     STILT  SANDPIPERS. 

1.  M.  himantopus,  (Bon.)  Baird.  STILT  SANDPIPER. 
Blackish,  marked  with  chestnut,  etc.;  ashy  gray  in  win- 
ter; bill  nearly  as  in  Gallinago;  L.  9;  W.  5;  T.  2£.  N. 
Am.,  not  abundant. 

6.  EREUNETES,  Illiger.     SAND -PEEPS. 

1.  E.  pusillus,  (L.)  Cass.  SEMIPALMATED  SANDPIPER. 
PEEP.  Plumage  various,  usually  pale,  white  below ; 
small;  L.  6|;  W.  3|;  T.  2.  N.  Am.;  abundant  along 
beaches. 


SCOLOPACEDJB. — LV.  127 

7.   TRINGA,  Linnaeus.     SANDPIPERS. 

*  Bill,  tarsus,  and  middle  toe  with  claw,  of  about  equal  length. 

(Actodromas.) 

f  Upper  tail  coverts  (except  the  lateral  series)  black  or  dark 
brown  ;  throat  with  an  ashy  or  brownish  suffusion  and 
dusky  streaks. 

1.  T.   minut///a,   Vieill.      LEAST   SANDPIPER.      PEEP. 
Smallest  of  the  Sandpipers,  resembling  Ereunetes,  but 
the  feet  different;  L.  6;  W.  3£;  T.  2.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

2.  T.  bairdii,  (Coues)  Scl.  BAIRD'S  SANDPIPER.  Colors 
of  preceding  but  larger;  throat  but  little  streaked;  L.  7 
to  7|;    W.  4f ;    T.  2£;    B.  J.     America,  rare  E.  of  the 
Mississippi  R. 

3.  T.  maculata,  Vieill.   PECTORAL  SNIPE.   JACK  SNIPE. 
GRASS  SNIPE.     Crown  unlike  neck;  throat  ashy-shaded 
and  sharply  streaked;  L.  9;  W.  5£;  B.  1£.      N.  Am., 
abundant. 

ft  Upper  tail  coverts  white,  with  or  without  dusky  marks ;  throat 
sharply  streaked,  with  little  if  any  ashy  suffusion. 

4.  T.    fuscicollis,    Vieill.      WHITE  -  RUMPED    SAND- 
PIPER.    L.  7£;  W.  4f ;  T.  2±.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant  along 
the  coast. 

**  Bill,  tarsus,  and  middle  toe,  obviously  not  of  equal  length. 
\  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe ;  tibiae  feathered.  (Arquatella.) 

5.  T.  maritima,  Briinnich.    PURPLE  SANDPIPER.    Ashy 
black  with  purplish  reflections;  feathers  with  pale  edg- 
ings; lower  parts,  etc.,  mostly  white;  bill  nearly  straight; 
L.  9;  W.  5;  T.  2|;  B.  1£.     Atlantic  Coast. 

\\  Tarsus  not  shorter  than  middle  toe ;  tibiae  bare  below. 
a.  Bill  slightly  decurved,  much  longer  than  tarsus.  (Pelidna) 

6.  T.  a/p/'na  (L.)  var.  americana,  Cass.     AM.  DUNLIN. 
Ox  -  BIRD.       BLACK  -  BELLIED     SANDPIPER.       Chestnut 
brown  above;  feathers  black  centrally;  belly,  in  summer, 


128  BIRDS. 

with  a  broad  black  area;    L.   9;  W.  5;  T.  2£;  B.  If. 
N.  Am. 

aa.  Bill  perfectly  straight.     (Tringa.) 

7.  T.  Canutes,  L.  ROBIN  SNIPE.  RED -BREASTED 
SANDPIPER.  Brownish  black,  brownish  red  (robin -like) 
below;  L.  11;  W.  6J;  T.  2£.  Atlantic  Coast;  abundant. 

8.  CALIDRIS,  Cuvier.     SANDERLINGS. 
1.  C.  arenaria,  (L.)  111.    SANDERLING.   RUDDY  PLOVER. 
Variegated;  form  of  T.  canutus,  but  the  hind  toe  want- 
ing;   L.  8;    W.  5;    T.  2£;    B.   1.     N.  Am.;    abundant 
coastwise. 

9.  LIMOSA,  Brisson.     GODWITS. 

1.  L    fedoa,   (L.)   Ord.      GREAT   MARBLED   GODWIT. 
MARLIN.      Cinnamon    brown,  variegated  above,  nearly 
uniform  below;  tail  barred;  no  pure  white;  L.  16  to  22; 
W.  9;  T.  3J;  B.  4J.     U.  S.,  abundant  along  shores. 

2.  L  hudsonica,  (Lath.)  Sw.     BLACK  -  TAILED  GODWIT. 
Brownish   black  and  reddish,   more  or  less  variegated 
above  and  below;  some  white;  tail  black,  white  at  base; 
L.  15;  W.  8;  Ts.  2£;  B.  3J.     N.  Am.,  rather  northerly. 

10.   TOTANUS,  Bechstein.     TATTLERS. 

*  Toes  with  two  sub-equal  webs;   legs  dark  or  bluish.    (Sym- 
phemia.) 

1.  T.  semipa/matus,  Gmelin.  WILLET.    SEMIPALMATED 
TATTLER.     Grayish,  variegated;  L.  12  to  16;  W.  7|;  T. 
3;  B.  2J.     U.  S.,  common  coastwise. 

**  Toes  with  the  inner  web  very  small ;  legs  yellow.    (Glottis, 
Nilsson.) 

2.  7".  melanoleucus,  Gm.    GREATER  TELL-TALE.   YEL- 
LOW SHANKS.     STONE  SNIPE.     Ashy  brown,  variegated; 
bill  very  slender;  legs  long;  L.  12J;  W.  7£;  T.  3£;  B. 
2£.     N.  Am.,  frequent. 


SCOLOPACIDvE. — LV.  129 

3.  T.   flavipes,   Gm.     LESSER  TELL-TALE.     YELLOW 
SHANKS.     Colors  as  in  preceding;  smaller;  legs  longer; 
L.  11;  W.  6J;  T.  2|;  B.  If.     U.  S.,  abundant. 

***  Toes  with  inner  web  rudimentary ;   legs  blackish.    (Rhya- 
cophilus,  Kaup.) 

4.  T.  solitarius,  Wilson.     SOLITARY  TATTLER.     Olive 
brown,  streaked  and  speckled  with  whitish  above;  below 
white,  breast  with   dusky   suffusion;    bill    straight   and 
slender;    L.  9;    W.  5;    T.  2J;  B.  1J.     U.  S.,  abundant 
about  secluded  ponds,  etc. 

//.   TRIHGOIDES,  Bonaparte.    SPOTTED  SANDPIPERS. 

1.  T.  macularius,  (L.)  Gray.  TIP -Up.  TEETER -TAIL. 
SPOTTED  SANDPIPER.  Lustrous  drab  above,  varied  with 
black;  pure  white  below,  with  round  black  spots  in 
adult;  L.  8;  W.  4;  T.  2;  B.  1.  U.  S.,  everywhere. 

12.  PHILOMACHUS,  Mdhring.     RUFFS. 
1.  P.  pugnax,  (L.)  Gray.    RUFF  ($).    REEVE  ($).  Male 
in  breeding  season  with  a  great  ruff,  and  the  face  bare; 
9  without  these  characters;  L.  10;  W.  7;  T.  2f ;  B.  1£. 
European;  accidental  on  our  coasts. 

13.  AGTITURUS,  Bonaparte.  UPLAND  SANDPIPERS. 

1.  A.  bartramius,  (Wilson)  Bon.  UPLAND  PLOVER. 

Dark  grayish,  variegated;  L.  13;  W.  7;  T.  4;  B.  1±. 
U.  S.,  abundant  in  fields,  etc. 

14.   TRYNGITES,  Cabanis.    BUFF-BREASTED  SANDPIPERS. 
1.   T.  rufescens,  (Vieill.)  Cab.    Grayish,  reddish  below; 
quills  with  white  and  finely  mottled  with  black;  L.  8; 
W.  5£;  T.  2£.     U.  S.,  with  the  last,  but  not  common. 

15.  NUMENIUS,  Linna?us.     CURLEWS. 
1.  N.    longirostris,   Wils.      LONG -BILLED    CURLEW. 


130  BIRDS. 

SICKLE  BILL.     Reddish  gray,  variegated;  L.  24;  W.  12; 
T.  4;  B.  5  to  9.     U.  S.,  frequent. 

2.  N.  hudson/cus,  Lath.     JACK  CURLEW.     Similar,  but 
paler;  L.  18;  W.  9;  T.  3J;  B.  3  or  4.     U.  S.,  and  north- 
ward. 

3.  N.  borealis,  (Forst.)  Lath.     ESQUIMAUX  CURLEW. 
DOUGH  BIRD.     More  reddish;  L.  15  or  less;  W.  8J;  T. 
3;  B.  2|.     U.  S.,  northwards. 


ORDER  R-HERODIOKES. 

(The  Herons  and  Storks.) 

Birds  usually  of  large  stature,  with  compressed  body, 
long  legs  and  a  very  long  "S-bent"  neck;  tibia  naked 
below;  toes  long  and  slender,  cleft  or  slightly  webbed, 
the  hind  toe  comparatively  long  and  (usually)  not  ele- 
vated, provided  with  a  large  claw.  Wings  broad, 
rounded.  Tail  short.  Head  narrow,  gradually  contracting 
to  the  stout  base  of  the  bill,  which  is  long  and  mostly 
hard  and  acute,  with  sharp  cutting  edges;  lores,  orbital 
space,  and  often  whole  head  naked.  Plumage  with 
powder-down  tracts  (explained  below);  altricial. 

FAMILY  LVL  —  ARDEID^E. 

(The  Herons.) 

Large  birds  with  the  bill  straight,  longer  than  the 
head,  compressed,  acute,  with  sharp  -  cutting  edges; 
upper  mandible  grooved;  nostrils  linear;  lores  naked, 
the  bill  appearing  to  run  directly  to  the  eyes;  rest  of 
head  feathered;  parts  of  the  body  with  "powder -down 
tracts," — strips  of  short,  dusty,  or  greasy  down -like 
feathers,  usually  three  pairs  of  these  strips,  i.  e.,  on  the 
back  above  the  hips,  on  the  belly  under  the  hips,  and 


AKDEEDJE. — LVI.  131 

on  the  breast;  usually  long  plumes  from  the  back  or 
head  in  the  breeding  season.  Wings  broad.  Tail  very 
short.  Tibiae  largely  naked  below;  toes  long  and  slen- 
der, hind  toe  on  a  level  with  the  rest,  middle  claw 
pectinate.  Sexes  usually  colored  alike.  Species  nearly 
one  hundred;  in  most  parts  of  the  world,  abundant  in 
the  warmer  regions. 
*  Tail  of  12  feathers ;  usually  a  crest  or  train  in  the  breeding 

season ;  lateral  toes  more  than  half  length  of  tarsus, 
f  Tibia  bare  two  inches  or  more. 
\  Length  36  or  more. 

a.  General  color  bluish  or  ashy  brown.         .         ARDEA,  1. 
aa.  Color  white  at  all  times.       .        .        .        HERODIAS,  2. 

#  Length  24  or  less. 

b.  Color  white  at  all  times ;  legs  black  and  yellow. 

GARZETTA,  3. 

bb.  General  color  bluish  (young  white),  legs  black  or  bluish. 

FLORIDA,  4. 

ff  Tibia  bare  one  inch  or  less. 
c.  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 
d.  Bill  more  than  thrice  as  long  as  high.     .    BUTORIDES,  5. 
dd.  Bill  not  three  times  as  long  as  high.       NYCTIARDEA,  6. 
cc.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw ;  bill  more  than 
half  an  inch  deep  at  base.       .        .      NYCTHERODIUS,  7. 
**  Tail  of  10  feathers ;  no  crest  nor  train ;  lower  neck  bare  behind ; 

length  less  than  30. 
e.  Length  more  than  18 ;  tawny,  much  streaked.      BOTAURUS,  8. 

ee.  Length  less  than  18 ;  glossy  blackish  or  chestnut. 

ARDETTA,  9. 

/.  ARDEA,  Linnaeus.     HERONS. 

1.  A.  herodias,  L.  GREAT  BLUE  HEROX.  Grayish 
blue,  marked  with  black  and  white;  back  of  head  crested 
in  breeding  season;  tibia  and  edge  of  wing  chestnut 
brown;  L.  48;  W.  20;  T.  7;  B.  5±;  Ts.  6£;  $  much 
smaller.  U.  S.,  common. 


132  BIRDS. 

2.  HERODIAS,  Gray.     GREAT  WHITE  EGRETS. 
1.  H.  egretta,  (Gm.)  Gray.      GREAT  WHITE  EGRET. 
WHITE  HERON.     Pure  white;  head  without  lengthened 
feathers;  back  in  breeding  season  with  a  long  train;  L. 
40;  W.  17;  B.  5;  Ts.  6.     U.  S.,  chiefly  southerly. 

3.  GARZETTA,  Bonaparte.     LITTLE  WHITE  EGRETS. 

/.  G.  candidissima,  (Jacq.)  Bon.  SNOWY  EGRET.  Pure 
white  ;  head  and  neck  with  long  plumes  in  breeding 
season;  L.  24;  W.  12;  B.  3;  T.  4.  Southern  and  middle 
States;  abundant. 

4.  FLORIDA,  Baird.     LITTLE  BLUE  HERONS. 

1.  F.  ccBru/ea,  (L.)  Baird.  LITTLE  BLUE  HERON. 
Slaty  blue;  young  white;  head  with  elongated  feathers; 
no  dorsal  plumes;  L.  24;  W.  12;  B.  3;  Ts.  4.  U.  S.; 

abundant,  southerly. 

5.  BUTORIDES,  Bonaparte.     GREEN  HERONS. 

1.  B.  virescens,  (L.)  Bon.  GREEN  HERON.  Crown, 
back  and  wings  lustrous  dark  green;  neck  purplish  cin- 
namon; crested;  back  with  lengthened  feathers;  L.  18; 
W.  7;  B.  2^.  U.  S.,  abundant. 

6.  NYCTIARDEA,  Swainson.     NIGHT  HERONS. 

1.  N.  gr/'sea  (L.)  Steph.,  var.  ncevia,  (Bodd.)  Allen. 
QUA  BIRD.  SQUAWK.  NIGHT  HERON.  Bluish  gray, 
crown  and  shoulders  glossy  green;  no  peculiar  feathers 
save  two  or  three  long,  white  occipital  plumes;  young 
speckled,  very  different;  L.  24;  W.  14;  B.  3;  Ts.  3. 
U.  S.,  frequent. 

7.   NYCTHERODIUS,   Auctorum.     YELLOW  -  CROWNED 

NIGHT  HERONS. 
1.  H.  violaceus,  (L.) .    YELLOW  -  CROWNED  NIGHT 


TANTALUM. — LVH.  133 

HERON.  Grayish  plumbeous;  crested;  back  with  long 
plumes;  crown,  etc.,  tawny  or  white;  young  speckled; 
size  of  last;  B.  2£;  Ts.  3f.  U.  S. 

8.  BOTAURUS,  Stephens.     BITTERNS. 

1.  B.  mugitans,  (Bartr.)  Coues.  INDIAN  HEN.  STAKE 
DRIVER.  BITTERN.  Tawny  brown  of  various  shades, 
excessively  variegated  everywhere;  dark  patch  on  each 
side  of  neck;  L.  23  to  28;  W.  12;  T.  4£;  B.  3.  U.  S., 
abundant. 

9.  ARDETTA,  Gray.     LEAST  BITTERN. 

1.  A.  exilis,  (Gm.)  Gray.  LEAST  BITTERN.  $  chiefly 
glossy  greenish  black  above,  brownish  yellow  below, 
neck  and  shoulders  with  chestnut;  ?  with  purplish 
chestnut  instead  of  black;  L.  14;  W.  5;  T.  If;  B.  If. 
U.  S.,  rather  rare. 

FAMILY  LVIL— TANTALIDJ3. 

(The  Ibises.) 

Stork -like  birds,  usually  of  large  size,  with  the  head 
more  or  less  bare  of  feathers  when  adult;  neck  and  legs 
long;  body  small.  Wings  large  and  rounded.  Tail 
very  short.  Tibia  bare  for  some  distance;  toes  4;  hind 
toe  lengthened  and  low  down.  Genera  four;  species 
fifteen ;  swamps  and  lakes  of  warm  regions.  Sexes  alike. 
Allied  to  the  Storks  (Ciconiidce)  of  the  Old  World. 

*  Tarsus  reticulate ;  bill  very  stout,  tapering,  decurved. 

TANTALUS,  1. 

**  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front;  bill  grooved,  curved  (curlew-like.) 

IBIS,  2. 

/.   TANTALUS,  Linnaeus.     WOOD  IBISES. 
1.  T.  loculator,  L.     WOOD  IBIS.     White;  quills,  tail 
and  primary  coverts  black;  bare  part  of  head  and  neck 


134  BIRDS. 

bluish;  L.  48;  W.  20;  B.   9.      Southern  States,  N.  to 
Ohio  and  Colorado. 

2.  IBIS,  Mohring.     IBISES. 
*  Claws  curved.    (Ibis.) 

1.  /.  alba,  (L.)  V.     WHITE  IBIS.     Pure  white,  wings 
with  black;  L.  24;  W.  11;  T.  4;  B.  7.     Southern  States, 
N.  to  L.  I. 

**  Claws  nearly  straight.    (Falcinellus.) 

2.  /.  falcinellus  var.  ord'n,  (Bon.)  Allen.     GLOSSY  IBIS. 
Rich  dark  chestnut,  with  greenish  and  purplish  on  head; 
L.  24;  W.  11;  T.  4;  B.  44.     S.  States,  N.  to  N.  England. 


OEDEE  O.-ALEOTOEIDES. 

(The  Cranes  and  Bails.) 

Tibia  naked  below;  neck,  legs  and  feet  much  as  in 
J-Ierodiones,  except  that  the  hind  toe  is  small  and  ele- 
vated, and  provided  with  a  small  claw.  Bill  various, 
usually  lengthened;  head  fully  feathered  or  else  exten- 
sively bald.  Body  more  or  less  compressed.  Wings 
short,  rounded,  concave.  Tail  very  short  and  small;  size 
various. 

FAMILY  LVIIL  —  GRUID^E. 

(The  Cranes.) 

Very  large  birds  with  the  head  and  neck  extremely 
long.  Wings  large.  Tail  short.  Head  more  or  less 
naked,  with  scattered  hair -like  feathers.  Plumage 
mostly  compact.  Bill  as  long  or  longer  than  head, 
straight  and  slender;  tibiae  extensively  naked ;  tarsus 
scutellate;  toes  rather  short;  hind  toe  highly  elevated. 
Genera  three;  species  fourteen,  of  various  parts  of  the 
world. 


RALLID^E. — LIX.  135 

/.  GRUS,  Linnaeus.     CRANES. 

1.  G.  americanuSf  (L.)  Ord.    WHITE  OK  WHOOPING 
CRANE.     Adult  pure  white  with  black  on  wings;    bare 
part    of    head   very   hairy;    young   grayish,   the    head 
feathered;    L.  50;  W.  24;  T.  9;  Ts.  12;  B.  6.     U.  S., 
rather  southerly. 

2.  G.  canadensis,  (L.)  Temm.     BROWN  OR  SAND  -  HILL 
CRANE.       Plumbeous     gray,     never    whitening;     head 
sparsely  hairy;  smaller.     U.  S.,  chiefly  S.  and  W. 

FAMILY  LIX.  — RALLID^E. 

(T lie  Rails.) 

Birds  of  medium  or  small  size,  with  compressed  bodies 
and  muscular  legs.     Wings  and  tail  short.     Hind  toe 
short  and  elevated;  front  toes  very  long.     Bill  various, 
rather  short.     Plumage  blended.     Sexes  alike.     Species 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty,  of  most  parts  of  the  world. 
*  Forehead  feathered ;  no  frontal  plate.    (RALLTN.E.) 
f  Bill  decurved,  longer  than  head.        .        .        .        RALLUS,  1. 
ff  Bill  straight,  shorter  than  head.     .        .        .       PORZANA,  2. 
**  Forehead  covered  with  a  broad,  horny,  frontal  plate. 
\  Toes  scarcely  or  not  lobate.    (GALLINULIN^E.) 
a.  Nostrils  linear;  tarsus  less  than  2.         .         GALLINULA,  3. 
aa.  Nostrils  nearly  circular;  tarsus  about  2.      PORPHYRIO,  2. 
ft  Toes  lobate,  edged  with  broad  flaps.  (FULICIN^.)  FUUCA,  5. 

/.  RALLUS,  Linnaeus.     RAILS. 

1.  R.   longirostris,   Bodd.      CLAPPER    RAIL.      SALT- 
WATER  MARSH    HEN.      Olive  brown,  variegated   with 
ashy;  dull  reddish  brown  below;    L.  14  to  16;  W.  6;  T. 
2£;  B.  2^;  $  smaller.     Salt  marshes;  rather  southerly. 

2.  R.    elegans,   And.     KING   RAIL.     FRESH -WATER 
MARSH    HEN.      Brownish    black,  with    chestnut  below 


136  BIRDS. 

and  on  wing  coverts;  much  brighter  colored  than  the 
last,  and  rather  larger.     U.  S.,  fresh-water  marshes. 

3.  R.  virginianus,  L.  VIRGINIA  RAIL.  Colors  exactly 
as  in  R.  elegans;  much  smaller;  L.  10;  W.  4;  T.  1£;  B. 
\\.  U.  S.,  frequent. 

2.  PORZANA,  Vieillot.     LITTLE  RAILS. 

1.  P.  caro/ina,  (L.)  V.     CAROLINA  RAIL.    SOEA.    "OR- 
TOLAN."     Olive -brown,   variegated;    face    and    middle 
line  of  throat  black;    breast  slaty  gray;    back  streaked; 
belly  barred;  L.  9;  W.  4£;  T.  2.     U.  S.,  not  rare. 

2.  P.   noveboracensis,   (Gm.)   Cass.      YELLOW   RAIL. 
Variegated  above;  L.  6;  W.  3£;  T.  1£.      E.  U.  S.,  riot 
common. 

3.  P.  jamaicensis,  (Gm.)  Cass.  BLACK  RAIL.  Blackish; 
L.  5£.     S.  Am.,  etc.,  rarely  in  U.  S. 

3.  GALLINULA,  Brisson.     GALLINULES. 

1.  G.  galeata,  (Licht.)  Bon.  FLORIDA  GALLINULE. 
Brownish  olive  above,  grayish  black  on  head  and  below; 
bill,  frontal  plate  and  ring  around  tibia  red;  L.  15;  W. 
7|;  T.  3J;  Ts.  2.  S.  States,  straying  northward.  (Mani- 
towoc,  Wis.  Jordan.) 

4.  PORPHYRIO,  Temminck.     PURPLE  GALLINULES. 

1.  P.  mariinica,  (L.)  Temm.  PURPLE  GALLINULES. 
Olive  green;  head  and  below  purplish  blue;  crissum 
white;  bill  mostly  red;  L.  12;  W.  7;  T.  3.  S.  States, 
N.  to  Maine. 

5.  FULICA,  Linnaeus.     COOTS. 

1.  F.  americana,  Gm.  COOT.  MUD  HEN.  Dark  slate 
color  or  sooty;  bill  brownish;  L.  14;  W.  8;  T.  2.  U.  S., 
abundant  in  reedy  swamps;  swims  well. 


ANATID^B. — LX.  137 

OEDEE  R-LAMELLIEOSTEES. 

(TTie  Anserine  Birds.) 

Bill  lamellate,  i.  e.,  furnished  along  each  cutting  edge 
with  a  regular  series  of  tooth-like  processes,  which  cor- 
respond to  certain  laciniate  processes  of  the  fleshy  tongue, 
which  ends  in  a  horny  tip;  bill  large,  thick,  high  at  base, 
depressed  towards  the  end,  membranous  except  at  the 
obtuse  tip  which  is  occupied  by  a  horny  nail;  no  gular 
pouch.  Head  high,  compressed,  with  sloping  forehead; 
eyes  small.  Feet  4-toed  (excepting  some  Flamingoes), 
palmate  ;  hind  toe  small,  elevated  ;  tibia  feathered  in 
Anatidce,  bare  below  in  the  Flamingoes.  Wings  strong, 
short.  Legs  short  (except  in  Phcenicopteridce,  where 
excessively  elongated);  precocial;  swimming  birds.  An 
important  and  familiar  order,  comprising  nearly  all  the 
"  Water  Fowl "  which  are  valued  in  domestication  or  as 
game  birds.  There  are  two  families,  Phcenicopteridoe 
the  Flamingoes,  and  the  following: 

FAMILY  LX.  — ANATID^E. 

(The  Ducks) 

Characters  of  bill,  etc.,  as  given  above.  Body  heavy, 
flattened  beneath.  Head  large;  eyes  small.  Tail 
various,  usually  short,  of  14  to  16  feathers,  the  lower 
coverts  being  long  and  full.  Feet  short,  anterior  toes 
full -webbed.  Sexes  usually  quite  unlike  (excepting 
among  the  Swans  and  Geese.)  Species  one  hundred  and 
seventy -five,  of  all  parts  of  the  world;  migratory.  The 
sub  -  families  are  indicated  below. 
*  Lores  naked ;  adult  entirely  white ;  large  birds ;  Swans.  (CYG- 

NTN^E.) CYGXUS,  1. 

**  Lores  feathered;  tarsus  entirely  reticulate ;  Geese.  (AxsEnnra.) 

a.  Bill  and  legs  not  black ;  colors  white,  bluish,  etc.    ANSEK,  2. 


138  BIRDS. 

aa.  Bill  and  legs  black ;  neck  black.         .         .         BRANTA,  3. 
***  Lores  feathered ;  tarsus  scutellate  in  front ;  Ducks, 
f  Bill  depressed ;  the  lamellae  simple,  bluntish. 
J  Hind  toe  simple,  not   bordered   by  membrane.      "  River 

Ducks."    (ANATIN^E.) 
6.  Head  crested ;   tip  of  bill  formed  entirely  by  the  nail ; 

colors  brilliant  in  $ Aix,  11. 

lib.  Bill  very  much  widened  towards  the  tip ;    speculum 

green SPATULA,  10. 

&&&.  Head  not  crested ;  bill  not  much  widened  towards  tip. 
c.  Tail  wedge-shaped,  at  least  £  length  of  wing. 

$  of  DAFILA,  5. 

cc.  Tail  less  than  half  length  of  wing. 
d.  Bill  shorter  than  head. 

e.  Crown  streaked ;  tail  feathers  acute.        DAFILA,  5. 
ee.  Crown  creamy  or  white ;  speculum  green. 

MAKECA,  7. 

dd.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head ;  speculum  white ;  wing 
coverts  chestnut.        -.        .        CHAULELASMTJS,  6. 
ddd.  Bill  a  little  longer  than  head. 
/.  Speculum  violet,  bordered  with  black  and  white. 

ANAS,  4. 
ff.  Speculum  green. 

g.  Wing  coverts  sky  blue ;  head  of  $  plumbeous  or 

purplish.        .        .        .        QUERQTJEDULA,  8. 

gg.  Wing  without  blue ;    head  of  $  chestnut,  with 

green  band ;  almost  crested.       .       NETTION,  9. 

\\  Hind  toe  lobed  (bordered  by  membrane.)    "  Sea  Ducks." 

(FULIGULHSLE.) 

h.  Cheeks  bristly ;  colors  black  and  white  (or  gray.) 

CAMPTOL^EMUS,  16. 

hh.  Tail  pointed,  longer  than  wings  (in  adult) ;   bill  black 
and  orange HARELDA,  15. 

hhh.  Tail  rounded ;  the  feathers  stiff,  narrow,  exposed  nearly 
to  their  bases,  the  upper  coverts  being  very  short. 

ERISMATURA,  20. 


ANATHXE. — LX.  139 

JMih.  Ducks  with  none  of  the  above  peculiarities. 

i.  Upper  mandible  gibbous  at  its  unfeathered  base ;  black 

or  brown (EDEMIA,  19. 

ii.  Upper  mandible  not  gibbous  where  unfeathered. 
j.  Nail  at  tip  of  bill  narrow  and  distinct. 

k.  Head  black  or  brown;   nostrils  sub -basal;  bill 
longer  than  tarsus.        .        .        .        FULIX,  12. 
kk.  Head  reddish  or  brownish,  without  white ;   nos- 
trils nearly  median ;  bill  longer  than  tarsus. 

AYTHYA,  13. 

kkk.  Head  black  or  gray,  with  white ;  nostrils  nearly 
median ;  bill  about  as  long  as  tarsus. 

BUCEPHALA,  14 
jj.  Nail  broad,  scarcely  distinct. 

I.  Feathers  extending  on  culmen  and  partly  on  sides 

of  upper  mandible.       .        .        SOMATERIA,  18. 

II.  Feathers  not  extending  on  culmen ;    bill  small, 

much  tapering.         .        .        HISTRIONICUS,  17. 

ft  Bill  narrow,  nearly  cylindrical;  the  lamellae  acute,  recurved, 

like  saw-teeth ;  usually  crested.    Fish  Ducks.  (MERGING.) 

m.  Bill  not  black ;  tarsus  more  than  half  the  length  of  middle 

toe MERGUS,  21. 

mm.  Bill  black ;  tarsus  half  length  of  middle  toe. 

LOPHODYTES,  22. 

/.  CYGNUS,  Linnaeus.    SWANS. 
>  Olor,  Wagler. 

1.  C.   buccinator,   Rich.      TRUMPETER   SWAN.      Tail 
(normally)  24  feathered;  bill  without  yellow  spot,  longer 
than    head;    nostrils    sub -basal;    L.    about   50.      Miss. 
Valley,  W.  and  N. 

2.  C.  columbianus,  (Ord.)  Coues.   WHISTLING  SWAN. 
Tail  20  feathered;   bill  with  a  yellow  spot,  not  longer 
than  head;  nostrils  median;  L.  50.     N.  Am.    (C.ameri- 
canus,  Sharpless.) 


140  BIRDS. 

2.  ANSER,  Linnaeus.     GEESE. 

1.  A.    albifrons,   Gm.,   var.   gambeli,    (Hartl.)  Ooues. 
WHITE  -  FRONTED  GOOSE.      SPECKLE  -  BILL.      White  or 
gray,  blotched  with  black;  back  dark;    head  and  neck 
grayish  brown;    forehead  white  in  adult;    claws  pale; 
lamellae  usual;  L.  27;  W.  17;  T.  6;  Ts.  3.     N.  Am. 

2.  A.  cosrulescens,  L.    BLUE  GOOSE.    Size  arid  form  of 
next,  but  plumage  ashy,  varied  with   dark  brown.     N. 
Am.,  rather  rare. 

3.  A.  hyperboreus,  Pallas.     SNOW  GOOSE.     Adult  pure 
white  or  washed  with  reddish;  wings  with  black;  claws 
dark;  young  bluish;  lamellae  very  prominent;  L.  30;  W. 
19;  T.  6i;  B.  2%. 

3.  BRANT  A,  Scopoli.     BRANT  GEESE. 
=  Bernicla,  most  authors. 

1.  B.  bernicla,  (L.)    BRANT  GOOSE.   Head,  neck,  front, 
quills,  and  tail,  black;  white  patch  on  neck;  white  on 
rump,   crissum,  etc.;    back   brownish  gray;  L.   24;  W. 
13;  T.  5;  B.  1^.     Northern  States;  in  winter  to  Carolina. 

2.  B.  canadensis,  (L.)    WILD  GOOSE.  CANADA  GOOSE. 
Grayish   brown,   paler   below;    head   and   neck    black; 
white  throat  patch,  extending  on   sides  of  head;    tail 
black;  upper  coverts  white;  L.  36;  W.  20;  T.  7£;  B.  2. 
N.  Am.,  abundant;  U.  S.  in  winter. 

4.  ANAS,  Linnasus.     DUCKS. 

1.  A.  boschaSt  L.  MALLARD  DUCK.  TAME  DUCK.  $ 
head  and  upper  neck  rich  glossy  green,  a  white  ring 
below;  breast  purplish  chestnut;  speculum  violet;  wing 
coverts  tipped  with  black  and  white ;  $  duller,  chiefly 
dull  ochraceous,  streaked  with  dark  brown;  L.  24;  W. 
12.  Am.,  abundant;  commonest  westward.  Original 


.  —  LX.  141 


of  the  common  Domestic  Duck;  various  hybrids  of  this 
species  with  others  are  described. 

2.  A.  obscura,  Gm.  BLACK  DUCK.  Size  of  mallard 
and  resembling  the  $,  but  darker;  no  decided  white 
except  under  the  wings.  E.  U.  S.,  common. 

5.  DAFILA,  Leach.  PINTAIL  DUCKS. 
1.  D.  acuta,  (L.)  Jenyns.  PIN  -TAIL.  SPKIG-TAIL. 
$  dark  brown  with  purplish  gloss;  sides  of  neck  with 
long  white  stripes;  tail  cuneate  when  developed,  central 
feathers  much  projecting;  $  speckled  and  streaked;  tail 
shorter;  L.  24;  W.  11;  T.  9  or  less.  N.  Am. 

6.  CHAULELASMUS,  Gray.     GADWALLS. 

1.  C.  streperus,  (L.)  Gray.  GAD  WALL.  $  barred,  black 
and  white,  wing  coverts  chestnut,  greater  coverts  black, 
speculum  white  ;  $  with  similar  markings;  L.  22;  W.  11. 

N.  Am. 

7.  MARECA,  Stephens.     WIDGEONS. 

1.  M.  penelope,   (L.)    Bon.      EUROPEAN    WIDGEON. 
Head  and  neck  reddish  brown;  top  of  head  brownish 
white;  sides  of  head  with  green  traces;  L.  22;  W.  11; 
T.  5.     Europe;  accidental  in  America,  Wis.  (.Kumlien) 
and  Atlantic  Coast. 

2.  M.  americana,  (Gm.)  Steph.     AMERICAN  WIDGEON. 
BALDPATE.      Head  and  neck  grayish,  speckled  ;   colors 
more  emphatic;  sides  of  head  with  bright  green  patch. 
N.  Am.,  abundant. 

8  QUERQUEDULA,  Stephens.     BLUE  WINGED  TEALS. 

1.  Q.  discors,  (L.)  Steph.  BLUE  WINGED  TEAL.  3 
head  and  neck  blackish  plumbeous,  darkest  on  the 
crown;  a  white  crescent  in  front  of  eye;  under  parts 


142  BIRDS. 

thickly  spotted;  ?  quite  different,  known  by  the  wings; 
L.  16;  W.  7;  T.  3:     E.  U.  S.,  to  Rocky  Mts. 

9.  NETTION,  Kaup.     GREEN -WINGED  TEALS. 

1.  N.  carolinensis,  (Gm.)  Kaup.  GREEN  -WINGED 
TEAL.  A  white  crescent  on  sides  in  front  of  wings; 
shoulders  plain;  L.  15;  W.  74-;  T.  3£.  N.  America, 
common. 

10.  SPATULA,  Boie.     SHOVELLERS. 

1.  S.  clypeaia,  (L.)  Boie.  SHOVELLER.  SPOON-BILL 
DUCK.  $  head  and  neck  green;  wing  coverts  blue; 
speculum  green;  ?  with  similar  bill  and  wings;  L.  20; 
W.  9£;  B.  2f.  N.  Am. 

//.  AIX,  Swainson.  WOOD  DUCKS. 
1.  A.  sponsa,  (L.)  Boie.  WOOD  DUCK.  SUMMER 
DUCK.  Crested ;  <3  head  iridescent  green  and  purple, 
with  white  stripes  and  a  forked  white  throat  patch; 
breast  rich  brownish;  ?  duller,  head  mostly  gray;  L.  20; 
W.  9£;  T.  5.  U.  S.  frequent;  nesting  in  trees. 

12.  FULIX,  Sun de vail.     FLOCKING  -  FOWL. 
<  Fuligula,  Authors. 

1.  F.  marlla,  (L.)  Baird.     BIG  SCAUP  DUCK.     BLUE 
BILL.      RAFT   DUCK.      Speculum  white;  no  ring  about 
neck;  back  and  sides  whitish,  finely  waved  with  black;  $ 
face  white;  markings  less  distinct;  L.  20;  W.  9.     N. 
Am. 

2.  F.   affinis,   (Eyton)   Baird.     LESSER   SCAUP   DUCK. 
Similar,  but  smaller;    L.  16;    W.   8.      N.   Am.,  rather 
southerly. 

3.  F.  collaris,  (Donovan)  Baird.    RING-NECKED  DUCK. 
Speculum  gray;  an  orange  brown  collar  about  neck;  $ 
without  collar;  L.  18;  W.  8£.     N.  Am. 


.  —  LX.  145 


13.  AYTHYA,  Boie.     CANVAS-BACK  DUCKS. 

1.  A.  fer/na  (L.)  var.  am  eric  ana,  (Eyton)  Allen.     RED 
HEAD.     POCHARD.     $  head  and  neck  chestnut  with  red 
reflections;    back    mixed   silvery  and   black;    the   dark 
waved  lines  unbroken;  $  duller;    bill  shorter  than  head, 
two  or  less,  bluish,  the  nail  dark;  L.  20;  W.  10.     N.  Am., 
abundant. 

2.  A.  vallisneria,  (Wilson)  Boie.  CANVAS  -  BACK  DUCK. 
Head  more  dusky  ;  black  wavy  lines  on  back  broken,  the 
whitish  predominating;  bill  as  long  as  head,  2£  or  more, 
dusky.     N.  Am.;  especially  coastwise  in  winter. 

14.  BUCEPHALA,Baiird.     GOLDEN  -EYES. 
Clangula,  Authors. 

1.  B.  c/angu/a,  (L.)  Gray.     GOLDEN-  EYE.     GARROT. 
c$  head  puffy,  glossy  green  with  some  white;  upper  parts 
black;    white    continuous  on  outer  surface  of  wing;  $> 
head  duller,  snuff-  colored  and  scarcely  puffy;  L.  16  to 
19;  W.  8  to  9.     N.  Am.  and  Europe. 

2.  B.  islandica,  (Gm.)  Baird.    BARROW'S  GOLDEX-EYE. 
Similar;  gloss  of  head  purplish;  white  of  wing  divided 
by  dark  bar;  more  white  on  head;  larger.     N.  U.  S.  and 
N.;  rare. 

3.  B.  albeola,    (L.)  Baird.     DIPPER.      BUFFLE-HEAD. 
BUTTER-BALL.     SPIRIT  DUCK.     $  with  head  very  puffy 
and  iridescent;  a  large  white  ear  patch;  L.  16;  W.  7;  9 
small,    dark    gray  ;     head    scarcely    puffy.      N.    Am., 
abundant. 

15.  HARELDA,  Leach.     LONG  -  TAILED  DUCKS. 

1.  H.  glacialis,  (L.)  Leach.  SOUTH  -  SOUTHERLY.  OLD 
WIFE.  LONG  -TAILED  DUCK.  Reddish  brown,  nearly 
white  in  winter;  tail  very  long;  $  quite  different,  no 


144  BIRDS. 

white  on   wing;    L.  20;    W.  9;    T.  8,  or  less.     N.  Am. 
and  Europe;  chiefly  northern  and  coastwise. 

16.  CAMPTOL/EMUS,  Gray.     PIED  DUCKS. 
1.   C.  labradorius,   (Gm.)   Gray.      LABRADOR    DUCK. 
$  chiefly  black  and  white;  ?  plumbeous;  L.  24;  W.  9. 
Coast,  chiefly  northern;  scarce. 

17.  HISTRIONICUS,  Lesson.     HARLEQUIN  DUCKS. 
1.  H.  torquatus,  (L.)  Bon.   HARLEQUIN  DUCK.    $  leaden 
bluish,  much  varied;  speculum  violet  and  purple;  $  dark 
brown,  etc.     Atlantic  Coast,  Am.  arid  Europe. 

18.  SO  MATER  I  A,  Leach.     EIDER  DUCKS. 

1.  S.  mollissima,   (L.)  Leach.      EIDER  DUCK.      $  in 
breeding  dress,  white;    under  parts,  rump,  quills,  and 
crown  patch  black;  $  reddish  brown,  streaked;  bill  with 
long,  club-shaped,  frontal   processes    extending  in  line 
with  culmen;  L.  24;  W.  12.     Arctic  regions;  S.  to  New 
England  in  winter.     (S.  dresseri,  Sharpe.) 

2.  S.  spectabilis,  (L.)  Leach.     KING  EIDER.     $  chiefly 
black;  front  parts,  etc.,  white;  frontal  processes  broad, 
squarish,  out  of  line  of  culmen;  slightly  smaller.      Nor- 
thern regions;  S.  to  N.  Y. 

19.  (EDEMIA,  Fleming.     SURF  DUCKS. 

*  Bill  not  encroached  upon  by  frontal  feathers ;  tail  16-feathered ; 
no  white  on  wings.    (CEdemia.) 

1.  CE.  americana,  Sw.     AMERICAN  BLACK  SCOTER.     $ 
entirely  black;  $  sooty  brown,  paler  below  and  on  throat; 
L.  18  to  24;  W.  10.     N.  Am.,  all  coasts. 

**  Bill  broadly  encroached  upon  by  frontal  feathers;   a  large 
white  wing  patch.     (Melanetta.) 

2,  CE.    fusca,  (L.)    Sw.      VELVET   SCOTER.      WHITE 


ANATID.E. — LX.  145 

"WIXGED  SUKF  DUCK.  $  black;  white  spot  under  eye; 
$  sooty  brown,  rather  larger.  Shores  of  Europe  and  N. 
Am. 

***  Bill  narrowly  encroached  upon  by  frontal  feathers;  no  white 
on  wings ;  tail  14-feathered.    (Pelionetta.) 

3.  (E.  perspicillata,  (L.)  Fleming.  SURF  DUCK.  SEA 
COOT.  $  black,  with  white  spot  on  forehead  and  nape; 
$  sooty  brown;  white  patch  on  lores  and  cheeks;  size  of 
first.  Coasts. 

20.  ERISMATURA,  Bonaparte.     STIFF  TAILED  DUCKS. 

1.  E.  rubida,  (Wils.)  Bon.      RUDDY  DUCK.     Chiefly 
brownish  or  tawny  (reddish  in  perfect  plumage),  con- 
siderably waved  and  dotted;  crissum  white;  L.  17;  W.  6. 
N.  Am.,  frequent. 

2.  E.  dominica,   (L.)   Eyton.      SAN  DOMINGO  DUCK. 
Smaller  and  redder;  forehead  and  chin  black;   L.  13£; 
W.  6£.    S.  America  and  W.  Indies;  accidental  N.  (Wis., 
Kumlien^  L.  Champlain,  Cabot.) 

21.  MERGUS,  Linnaeus.     MERGANSERS. 

1.  M.  merganser,  L.    MERGANSER.   GOOSANDER.   FISH 
DUCK.     £  black  and  white  above,  salmon-colored  below; 
head  glossy  green,  scarcely  crested;  $  smaller,  ashy  gray; 
head  brownish;  nostrils  median;  L.  24;  W.  11.    N.  Am., 
common. 

2.  M.  serrator,  L.    RED-BREASTED  MERGANSER.    FISH 
DUCK.     Similar,  but  smaller  and  more  crested;  $  with 
throat  reddish  brown,  black-streaked;    wing  with    two 
black  bars,  instead  of  one  as  in  last;  nostrils  sub-basal; 
L.  20;  W.  9.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

22.  LOPHODYTES,  Reichenbach.     CRESTED  DIVERS. 
1.  L  cucu//atus,  (L.)  Reich.     HOODED  MERGANSER. 
7 


146  BIRDS. 

SHELDRAKE.  Black  and  white;  sides  chestnut  in  $•  $ 
duller  and  grayish;  crest  high  and  compressed;  nostrils 
sub-basal;  L.  19;  W.  8.  N.  Am.,  common. 


OEDEE  Q.-STEGANOPODES. 

(TJie  Totipalmate  Birds.} 

Feet  totipalmate;  hind  toe  lengthened,  scarcely  ele- 
vated, united  by  a  web  to  the  other  toes;  tibia?  feathered 
Bill  various,  horny,  never  lamellate,  cutting  edges  often 
serrate;  nostrils  very  small  or  abortive;  a  prominent, 
naked,  gular  pouch;  tarsus  reticulate;  altricial. 

We  here  omit  the  families  Sulidce  (Gannets)  and 
Tachypetidce  (Frigate  Birds)  as  they  are  exclusively 
marine.  One  species  of  the  Southern  family  Plotidce, 
(the  Darters)  Plotus  anhinga,  L.,  the  Snake  Bird  or 
Water  Turkey  of  the  Southern  swamps,  sometimes  comes 
up  the  Miss.  R.  to  S.  Ills. 

FAMILY  LXL— PELECANIDJE. 

(The  Pelicans.) 

Large  fish -eating  birds,  with  very  long  bills  which 
end  in  a  claw -like  hook;  the  broad  space  between  the 
branches  of  the  lower  jaw  occupied  by  a  huge  membran- 
ous sack;  nostrils  abortive;  wings  very  long;  tail  very 
short;  gregarious;  sexes  alike.  Genus  one;  species  six; 
found  in  most  warm  regions. 

/.  PELECANUS,  Linnaeus.     PELICANS. 

1.  P.  trachyrhynchus,  Lath.  WHITE  PELICAN.  Chiefly 
white,  some  black  and  yellowish;  L.  60;  W.  24;  B.  12. 
N.  Am.,  abundant  S.  and  W.,  often  inland. 


PHALACKOCORACIDJE. — LXII.  147 

FAMILY  LXIL  — PHALACROCORACID^E. 

(The  Cormorants) 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  nearly  terete,  strongly 
hooked,  the  cutting  edges  uneven;  gular  pouch  small. 
Wings  short.  Tail  very  large,  almost  scansorial,  of  very 
stiff  feathers,  often  used  with  the  aid  of  the  legs,  which 
are  set  far  back,  as  a  support  for  the  body;  a  nasal 
groove  but  nostrils  abortive.  Colors  in  both  sexes 
lustrous,  iridescent  black;  in  the  breeding  season  usually 
with  long,  white,  filamentous  plumes;  many  species 
crested.  Genus  one;  species  twenty -five;  of  most 
regions. 

/.  GRACULUS,  Linnaeus.  CORMORANTS. 
2.  G.  dilophus,  (Sw.)  Gray.  DOUBLE  -  CRESTED  COR- 
MORANT. Glossy  greenish  black ;  back  and  wing  coverts 
coppery  gray;  adult  with  two  curly  black  lateral  crests; 
sac  convex  or  straight  -  edged  behind,  orange;  L.  33;  W. 
13;  T.  7;  tail  of  12  feathers.  N.  Am.;  our  commonest 
species. 

2.  G.  mexicanus,  (Brandt)  Bon.     MEXICAN  CORMOR- 
ANT.    Gular  sac  orange,  white-edged;  L.  24.     S.  W.,  N. 
to  Ills. 

3.  G.  carbo,  (L.)  Gray.    NORTHERN  CORMORANT.   Tail 
of  14  feathers;  sac  heart-shaped  behind;  L.  36.     North- 
ern and  coastwise. 


OEDEE  E.-LONGIPENNES. 

(The  Long -Winged  Swimmers.) 

Feet  palmate;  tibiae  feathered;  legs  near  center  of 
equilibrium;  hind  toe  elevated,  small,  often  wanting. 
Bill  usually  long,  horny,  not  serrate  nor  lamellate;  nos- 


148  BIRDS. 

trils  developed;  no  gular  pouch.  Wings  very  long  and 
pointed.  Tail  well  developed;  altricial;  powers  of  flight 
remarkable;  food  chiefly  fishes.  There  are  two  families, 
Laridce,  below  described,  and  Procellaridce,  the  Petrels, 
which  we  here  omit,  all  our  numerous  representatives 
being  strictly  maritime. 

FAMILY  LXIIL  —  LARID^E. 

(The  Gulls.) 

Long -winged  birds,  with  the  nostrils  not  tubular; 
bill  various.  Hind  toe  small  and  elevated,  but  less  so 
than  in  the  Petrels.  General  color  usually  white,  with 
a  darker  mantle  of  a  pearly  bluish  tint,  and  commonly 
with  some  black  markings.  Sexes  alike  in  color,  but  the 
plumage  varying  much  with  age  and  season.  Genera 
about  twelve  (Coues),  sixty  (European  authors);  species 
ninety;  abounding  about  all  large  bodies  of  water.  Of 
the  genera  admitted  below,  Pagophila^  Rissa,  and 
Chrceoocephalus  may  properly  be  considered  as  sections 
of  Larus,  while  Gelochelidon  and  Thalasseus  are  perhaps 
sub -genera  under  Sterna. 

*  Bill  hooked  (epignathous)  —  rarely  not  hooked,  and  the  tail  even. 

f  Bill  with  a  sort  of  cere ;  middle  tail  feathers  exserted ;  Jaegers. 

(LESTRIDIN.E.)  ....        STERCORARIUS,  1. 

f  f  Bill  not  cered ;    general  color  usually  white  with  a  darker 

mantle.    Gulls.    (LARIN^E.) 

a.  Hind  toe  rudimentary,  without  a  developed  claw.   RISSA,  3. 
aa.  Hind  toe  perfect,  provided  with  a  claw. 
b.  Tail  even. 
c.  Tarsus  black,  rough ;  webs  incised ;   plumage  white. 

PAGOPHILA,  4. 

cc.  Tarsus  not  black ;  lower  plumage  white  in  adult. 
d.  Head  white — if  dark  below,  head  not  whitish  (spe- 
cies of  large  size ;   never  rosy-tinted  below ;   the 
head  never  with  a  dark  hood.)        .         LARUS,  2. 


LABIDJE. — LXHI.  149 

dd.  Head  dark — if  dark  below,  head  whitish  (small  or 

slender  species,  with  a  black  hood  in  the  breeding 

season,  and  the  white  under  parts  then  pinkish  or 

rosy-tinted.)       .        .        .      CHRCECOCEPHALUS,  5. 

bb.  Tail  forked;  bill  black,  yellow-tipped.        .       XEMA,  6. 

**  Bill  paragnathous  (mandibles  even) ;  tail  forked  (in  our  species) ; 

Terns.    (STERNIN^E.) 

e.  Toes  full- webbed ;   colors  chiefly  white,  with  a  black  cap  at 
most  seasons  and  the  quills  silvery  dusky,  with  a  long 
white  stripe. 
/.  Feet  black ;  forehead  without  white  crescent. 

g.  Not  crested ;  bill  stout,  scarcely  longer  than  tarsus. 

GELOCHELIDON,  7. 
gg.  Crested ;  bill  slender,  much  longer  than  tarsus. 

THALASSEUS,  8. 

ff.  Feet  not  black ;  back  pale,  no  crest.      .        .      STERNA,  9. 
ee>  Toes  not  full-webbed ;  color  quite  dark. 

HYDROCHELIDON,  10. 

***  Bill  hypognathous — the  lower  mandible  much  the  longer, 
compressed  like  a  knife-blade.  Skimmers.  (RHYNCHOPIN^E.) 

RHYNCHOPS,  11. 

/.  STERCORARIUS,  Brisson.    J.EGERS. 
=  Lestris^  Authors. 

1.  S.    pomatorhinus,    ( Temm. )     Lawr.      POMARIXE 
JAEGER.      Chiefly   blackish,    colors    varying   with   age; 
middle  tail  feathers  broad  to  the  tip,  projecting  about 
four  inches;    L.  20;  W.  15.     Northern,  U.  S.  in  winter. 

2.  S.  parasitic  us,  (Briinn.)  Gray.     PARASITIC  JAEGER. 
General  color  dark  brown ;  middle  tail  feathers  acuminate, 
projecting  4  inches;  L.  18;  W.  13.     Northern,  U.  S.  in 
winter. 

3.  S.  buffoni,  (Boie )  Coues.      LONG  TAILED  JAEGER. 
Similar,  but  still  smaller;  tail  feathers  filamentous,  pro- 
jecting 8  or  10  inches.     Northern,  U.  S.  in  winter. 


150  BIRDS. 

2.  LARUS,  Linnaeus.     GULLS. 
*  Primaries  without  any  black. 

1.  L.  glaucus,  Briinn.     GLAUCOUS  GULL.     ICE  GULL. 
BURGOMASTER.       Bill   yellow  with    red   spot   on    lower 
mandible;  large;  L.  30;  W.  18.     Arctic  regions;  S.  in 
winter. 

2.  L.   leucopterus,   Faber.      WHITE -WINGED   GULL. 
Similar  but  smaller;  L.  23;  W.  17.     Same  region. 

**  Primaries  crossed  with  black  (adult),  or  all  black  (young). 

3.  L.   marinus,   L.       GREAT   BLACK -BACKED   GULL. 
COFFIN-CARRIER.    SADDLE-BACK.    Mantle  blackish  slate 
color;  largest  of  our  Gulls;  L.  30  or  more;  W.  18;  feet 
flesh  colored.     N.  Atlantic,  S.  in  winter. 

4.  L.  argeniatus,  Briinn.     HERRING  GULL.     COMMON 
GULL.     Mantle  grayish  blue;    large,  22  to  27  ;  W.  18  or 
less;  feet  flesh  colored.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

5.  L.  delawarensis,  Ord.    RING-BILLED  GULL.    Plum- 
age like  preceding;  feet  olivaceous;  webs  yellow;  bill 
yellowish,  a  black  band  at  the  tip;    size  moderate;  L. 
20;  W.  15.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

3.  RISSA,  Leach.     KITTIWAKES. 

1.  R.  iridactyla,  (L.)  Bon.  KITTIWAKE  GULL.  Mantle 
dark  grayish  blue;  hind  claw  a  minute  knob;  L.  16  to 
18;  W.  12.  Northern,  U.  S.  in  winter. 

3.  PAGOPHILA,  Kaup.     IVORY  GULLS. 
1.  P.  eburnea,  (Gm.)  Kau-p.     IVORY  GULLS.     Adults 
pure  white;  young  spotted;  L.  16  to  20;  W.  12.    North- 
ern, rarely  to  U.  S.  in  winter. 

5.  CHRtECOCEPHALUS,  Eyton.     ROSY  GULLS. 
1.  C.  atricilla,  (L.)  Lawr.    BLACK -HEADED  OR  LAUGH- 
ING GULL.     Tarsus  £  longer  than  middle  toe  and  clawj 


LABLD^E. — LXILI.  151 

large;  bill  and  feet  dusky  carmine;  L.  16  to  19;  W.  12 
to  13.     U.  S.,  coastwise. 

2.  C.   franklini,    (Rich.)    Bruch.      FRANKLIN'S   ROSY 
GULL.     Tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  toe   and  claw; 
bill  and  feet  carmine;  bill  usually  with  a  black  mark; 
medium;  L.  14  to  16;  W.  11.     U.  S.,  chiefly  W.  of  the 
Miss.  R, 

3.  C.  philadelphicLf  (Ord  )  Lawr.     BOXAPAETE'S  GULL. 
Tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw;  bill  dark 
or  black,  slender,  tern -like;  small;  L.  12  to  14;  W.  10. 
N.  Am.,  abundant. 

6.  XEMA,  Leach.     FOEK  -  TAILED  GULLS. 

1.  X.  sabinei,  (Sab.)  Leach.  FOEKED-TAIL  GUXL. 
Chiefly  white,  a  black  hood  and  collar;  L.  14;  W.  11. 
Northern,  S.  in  winter  to  N.  Y. 

7.  GELOCHELIDON,  Brehm.     GULL  -  BILLED  TEENS. 

1.  G.  anglica,  (Montagu )  Bon.  MARSH  TEEX.  Bill 
black,  very  short  and  stout;  L.  15;  W.  12.  E.  U.  S., 
not  abundant. 

8.   THALASSEUS,  Boie.     CRESTED  TEEXS. 

1.  T.   caspius,   (Pallas )   Boie.     CASPIAN  TEEX.     Pri- 
maries without  white  band;  bill  red;    much  the  largest 
of   the  Terns;  L.  20  or  more;  W.  17;  T.  6,  not   much 
forked.     Northern,  S.  in  winter;  scarce. 

2.  T.  regius,  Gamb.     ROYAL  TEEX.     Bill  orange;  L. 
18  or  20;  W.  15;  T.  8,  deeply  forked;  much  smaller  than 
the  last  but  nearly  as  long.     Atlantic  Coast. 

3.  T.  cantiacus,  (Gm.)  Boie.     SANDWICH  TERX.     Bill 
black,  yellow  at  tip;  L.  16;  W.  12J;  T.  6.     Europe  and 
Am.;  rare  on  our  coast. 


152  BIRDS. 

9.  STERNA,  Linnaeus.     COMMON  TERNS. 

1.  S.  hirundo,  Auct.     COMMON  TERN.     SEA.  SWALLOW. 
WILSON'S  TERN.      Bill  red,  blackening  towards  tip;  tail 
mostly  white;    outer  web  of  outer  feather  darker  than 
inner;  L.  14J  (13  to  16);  W.  10  (9J-  to  11|);  T.  6  (5  to 
7.)      Coasts  of  Europe  and  America;    abundant.      ($. 
ivilsoni)  Lawr.) 

2.  S.   forsteri,  Nuttall.      FORSTER'S  TERN.      Larger; 
tail  longer  and  wings  shorter;    inner  web  of  outer  tail 
feather  darker;  W.  9£  to  10£;    T.  6£  to  8.      N.  Am., 
common. 

3.  S.  macrura,  Naumann.    ARCTIC  TERN.   Bill  carmine 
throughout;  plumage  as  in  liirundo,  but  darker  below; 
L.   14  to  17;    W.  10  to  12;    T.  5  to  8;    smaller  than 
hirundo,  but  tail  proportionally  much  longer.     Northern 
regions,  S.  to  U.  S. 

4.  S.  paradisea,  Auct.     ROSEATE  TERN.     Bill  black, 
usually  orange  at  base  below;  mantle  very  pale;   some- 
what rosy -tinted  below;  L.  12  to  16;  W.  9  to  10;  T.  5 
to  8.     Atlantic  Coast,  abundant.    (/S.  dougalli,  Mont.) 

5.  S.  portlandica,  Ridgway.    PORTLAND  TERN.     Near 
the  preceding,   but   mantle  as   in   hirundo j    the  rump 
white  instead  of  pearly;  feet  blackish;  under  parts  pure 
white;  L.  12£;  W.  9f;  T.  5  or  more.     Lately  discovered 
in  Maine  and  Mass.;  but  two  specimens  known. 

6.  S.  superciliaris,  (Vieill.)  var.  aniillarum,  (Lesson) 
Coues.     LEAST  TERN.     Bill  yellow,  usually  tipped  with 
black;    a  white  frontal  crescent  between  cap  and  bill; 
shafts  of  two  or  more  outer  primaries  black  above;  very 
small;    L.  8  or  9;    W.  6i;    T.  2  to  3£.     U.  S.,  chiefly 
abundant  coastwise. 


LAEID^E.  —  LXTTT.  153 

10.  HYDROCHELIDON,  Boie.    BLACK  TERNS. 

1.  H.  I  ar  if  or  mis,  (L.)  Coues.     BLACK  TERN.     Head, 

neck  and  under  parts  black  (in  full  plumage);  wings 
and  tail  above  plumbeous  like  the  back;  crissum  white; 
small;  L.  10;  W.  8  to  9;  T.  3£.  N.  Am.,  chiefly  inland. 
[H.  fissipes,  (L.)  Gray.] 

2.  H.  nigra,  (L.)  Gray.    WHITE  -WINGED  BLACK  TERN. 
Wings  whitening  along  border  of  fore  -arm;    tail  and 
upper   tail   coverts  white.      Straggler   from   Europe,  a 
single   specimen   lately   taken    on    Lake    Koshkonong. 
(Ludomc  JTunllien.)     \H.  leucoptera,  (Meisn.)  Boie.] 

//.  RHYNCHOPS,  Linnaeus.  SKIMMERS. 
1.  fi.  nigra,  L.  BLACK  SWIMMER.  CUTWATER.  Glossy 
black;  white  below;  lower  mandible  about  an  inch 
longest,  compressed  like  a  knife  -  blade,  obtuse  at  end; 
L.  16  to  20;  W.  15;  T.  5,  sharply  forked.  Coast, 
abundant  southward. 

—         '• 


ORDER  S.-PYGOPODHSTJV/v,.,  . 

(The  Diving  Birds.)  '    '"  >S|  I  T  y 

Feet  palmate  or  lobate;  tibiae  feathered,  buried  44  ft^f  /,\ 
skin  nearly  to  the  heel  joint,  hence  the  legs  are  set  very  1  1  ^S  £ 

far  back,  and  the  birds  are  scarcely  able  to  walk  at  all 
on  land;  hind  toe  small,  elevated,  often  wanting.  Nos- 
trils developed;  bill  of  various  forms,  horny,  not  lamellate 
nor  serrate  ;  no  gular  pouch.  Wings  very  short,  scarcely 
reaching  the  base  of  the  very  small  or  rudimentary  tail. 
Swimmers,  many  of  them  noted  for  their  powers  of  div- 
ing. We  here  omit  the  three  -  toed  family  of  ALCID^E, 
the  Auks,  they  being  strictly  maritime  and  mostly 
northern.  The  twenty  -one  known  species  all  occur  in 
America. 


154  BIRDS. 

FAMILY  LX1V.—  COLYMBID^E. 

(The  Loons.) 

Bill  long,  strong,  tapering,  acute,  wholly  hard;  nostrils 
linear.  Head  densely  and  evenly  feathered,  without  ruffs 
or  naked  spaces;  eye  large.  Feet  4-toed,  palmate;  tar- 
sus reticulate,  strongly  compressed.  Wings  comparatively 
long  and  strong.  Tail  short,  but  well  developed.  Back 
of  adult  with  small  spots;  precocial.  Genus  one;  species 
three.  Birds  of  large  size,  with  strong  powers  of  flight, 
and  pre-eminent  in  swimming  and  diving,  but  scarcely 
able  to  walk;  they  are  migratory,  breeding  northward, 
but  coming  S.  in  winter;  the  voice  is  singularly  sharp 
and  wild. 

/.  COLYMBUS,  Linnaeus.     LOONS. 

=  Eudytes,  Illiger. 

1.  C.  torquatus,   Briinn.      GREAT  NORTHERN  LOON. 
DIVER.     Black;  breast  and  below  chiefly  white;  head 
and  neck  iridescent,  green  and  violet;  a  patch  of  white 
streaks  on  each  side  of  neck  and  on  the  throat;  back 
with  many  white   spots;    L.  36;  W.   14;   Ts.   3;    B.   3, 
Northern    Hemisphere;    whole    U.   S.  in   winter.      (C. 
glacialis,  L.) 

2.  C.  arcticus,  L.    BLACK  -  THROATED  DIVER.    Similar, 
but  head  and  neck  behind  bluish   or  hoary  gray;  fore- 
neck  purplish  black,  with  a  crescent  of  white  streaks; 
L.    28;    W.    12;    B.    2£.      Northern    hemisphere,    not 
common  in  U.  S. 

3.  C.    septentrionalis,    L.      RED -THROATED    DIVER. 
Blackish,   chiefly  white  below;    head  and  neck  mostly 
bluish  gray;  throat  with  a  large  chestnut  patch;  L.  27; 
W.  11;  B,  2.     Northern  hemisphere. 


PODICIPID^E. — LXV.  155 

FAMILY  LXV.  —  PODICIPID^. 

(The  Ch-ebes.) 

Bill  usually  slender,  rarely  stoutish;  lores  naked; 
head  often  with  crests,  ruffs  or  ear  tufts  in  the  breeding 
season.  Back  not  spotted;  under  plumage  lustrous, 
mostly  white.  Wings  very  short.  Tail  rudimentary. 
Feet  four -toed,  lobate,  the  toes  webbed  at  base;  toes 
flattened,  provided  with  flat  claws  resembling  human 
nails ;  tarsus  scutellate,  compressed.  Genera  two ; 
species  about  twenty;  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  chiefly 
about  fresh  waters. 

*  Bill  slender,  straight,  rather  acute ;   loral  strip  narrow ;  head  in 
breeding  season  with  conspicuous  crests  or  ruff. 

PODICEPS,  1. 

**  Bill  stout,  somewhat  hooked ;    loral  strip  broad ;  no  ruff  nor 
crest PODFLYMBUS,  2. 

/.  POD  1C  EPS,  Latham.     CRESTED  GREBES. 

=  Colymbus,  Illiger. 

1.  P.  or/status,  (L.)  Lath.     CRESTED  GREBE.     Upper 
parts  generally    dark  brown;    crest  black;    throat  and 
sides  of  head  white,  becoming  reddish  on  the  ruff ;    pri- 
maries brown;    secondaries  mostly  white;    silky  white 
below,  not  mottled;    L.  24;    W.  8£;    B.  2.     Northern 
hemisphere;  U.  S.  in  winter. 

2.  P.  ho/bo///,  Reinhardt.  RED-NECKED  GREBE.  Upper 
parts  brown;  front  and  sides  of  neck  rich  brownish  red; 
throat  and  sides  of  head  ashy;  crests  and  ruffs  not  large; 
below  silvery  ash,  spotted  or  mottled;  L.  18;  W.  8;  B. 
If.     N.  Am.,  U.  S.  in  winter. 

3.  P.  cornutus,  (Gm.)  Lath.     HORNED  GREBE.     Dark 
brown;  head  glossy  black;  a  brownish  yellow  band  over 
eye  and  behind;  fore-neck  and  breast  brownish  red;  bill 


156  BIEDS. 

compressed,  black,  tipped  with  yellow;  crests  and  ruffs 
very  large;  L.  14;  W.  6;  B.  3f.  Northern  hemisphere, 
abundant. 

4.  P.  aur/tus,  (L.)  var.  californicus,  (Heerm.)  Coues. 
EARED  GREBE.  Crest  in  the  form  of  ear  tufts;  front  of 
neck  black;  bill  depressed;  L.  12.  Western,  E.  to  Ills. 

2.  PODIL  YMBUS,  Lesson.  DAB  -  CHICK. 
1.  P.  podiceps,  (L.)  Lawr.  DIEDAPPER.  HELL-DIVEK. 
WATER  WITCH.  PIED  -  BILLED  GREBE.  Chiefly  brown  - 
ish  gray;  silvery  ash  below;  bill  bluish,  with  dark  band; 
young  and  winter  plumage  different,  but  the  bird 
resembles  nothing  else;  L.  14;  W.  5;  B.  1.  Whole  of 
America,  abundant.  (Podiceps  carolinensis.  Lath.) 


REPTILES.  157 


Hi.  — ttiptttta. 

(The  Reptiles) 

A  Reptile  is  a  cold  -  blooded,  air  -  breathing  vertebrate, 
having  the  exoskeleton  developed  as  horny  or  bony 
plates,  never  as  feathers  or  hair.  Limbs,  when  present, 
usually  adapted  for  walking,  rarely  for  swimming, 
scarcely  ever  for  flying.  An  incomplete  double  circula- 
tion, the  ventricular  septum  being  usually  imperfect  or 
wanting;  no  metamorphosis;  oviparous,  rarely  ovovi- 
viparous,  the  eggs  relatively  large  and  usually  with  a 
leathery  skin.  Various  important  anatomical  distinc- 
tions exist,  but  the  Reptiles  are  obviously  separated 
from  the  Birds  by  the  absence  of  feathers,  and  from  the 
Batrachians  by  the  presence  of  scales,  and  by  the  absence 
of  gills  after  leaving  the  egg. 

Besides  the  three  following  orders,  a  fourth  (CROCO- 
DILIA),  is  represented  by  two  species  Alligator  mississip- 
piensis,  Daudin,  and  Crocodilus  americanus,  Seba,  in  our 
Southern  States. 

ORDERS  OF  REPTILIA. 

*  Body  covered  with  square  imbedded  shields ;  vent  roundish  or 

longitudinal,  plaited ;  bones  of  skull  soldered  together. 
fBody  short,  depressed,  enclosed  between  two  bony  shields, 
from  which  the  head,  limbs  and  tail  may  be  protruded ; 

no  teeth TESTUDINATA,  T. 

**  Body  covered  with  imbricated  scales ;    vent  a  cross-slit ;   bones 

of  skull  separate;  jaws  with  teeth. 

\  Mouth  not  dilatable ;  bones  of  mandible  united  by  a  bony 
suture  in  front ;  limbs  4 — rarely  rudimentary. 

LACERTILIA,  U. 


158  REPTILES. 

^  Mouth  very  dilatable ;  bones  of  mandible  united  by  liga- 
ments ;  limbs  wanting  or  represented  only  by  short  spurs 
on  the  sides  of  the  vent OPHIDIA,  V. 

T.    FAMILIES  OF  TESTUDINATA. 

*  Carapace  firm,  not  flexible  at  the  margins,  not  greatly  depressed ; 

both  shields  with  well-developed  horny  plates, 
f  Toes  short,  bound  together  by  the  integument ;   legs  and  feet 
short,  club-shaped ;  carapace  very  convex ;  plastron  cover- 
ing nearly  all  of  under  surface  of  body ;   caudal  shields 
united ;  claws  blunt,  5-4 ;  terrestrial.        TESTUDINID^E,  66. 
ff  Toes  well  developed,  spreading,  and   in   aquatic    species 

webbed ;  claws  usually  5^L 

$  Shell  highest  at  about  the  middle,  usually  somewhat  de- 
pressed, the  margin  flaring  outwards ;  epidermal  plates 
of  the  large  plastron  12  in  number.  .  EMYDHXE,  67. 
^  Shell  highest  behind  the  middle;  margin  of  carapace 
turned  rather  downward  or  inward ;  plates  of  plastron 
7,  9  or  11 — never  12 ;  size  small.  .  CINOSTERNUXE,  68. 
JJt  Shell  highest  anteriorly;  carapace  flaring  outward,  its 
margin  toothed  behind;  plastron  small,  cross-shaped 
with  12  plates  and  three  accessory  ones  on  each  side ; 
jaws  powerful,  strongly  hooked;  neck  and  tail  long, 
the  latter  with  a  crest  of  tubercles ;  size  large. 

CHELYDRID^E,  69. 

**  Much  depressed ;  carapace  and  plastron  covered  with  a  leathery 
skin,  and  flexible  at  the  margins;  no  horny  plates;  fleshy 
lips ;  snout  prolonged ;  toes  5-5,  but  claws  3-3. 

TRIONYCHHWE,  70. 

U.    FAMILIES  OF  LACERTILIA. 

*  Tongue  thick,  convex,  attached  at  its  base  to  the  gullet ;   scales 

usually  more  or  less  spinous.       .        .        .       IGUANID^E,  71. 
**  Tongue  flat,  elongate,  bifid  at  the  end ;  scales  never  spinous. 
f  Limbs  rudimentary,  concealed  beneath  the  skin ;    sides  with 

a  longitudinal  fold ANGUID^E,  72. 

ff  Limbs  four — well  developed. 

\  Scales  of  the  belly  rounded,  arranged  in  quincunx  order. 

SCTNCHX-E,  74. 


REPTILES.  159 

\\  Scales  of  the  belly  quadrate,  arranged  in  cross-bands; 
throat  with  two  cross-folds.        .        .        .       TEED^J,  73. 

V.    FAMILIES  OF  OPHIDIA. 

*  Both  jaws  fully  provided  with  small  teeth;  no  poison  fangs ; 
no  rattle;  no  anal  appendages;  no  ante-orbital  pit;  not 
venomous.  ......  COLUBRED^E,  75. 

**  Upper  jaw  with  enlarged,  erectile  poison  fangs,  otherwise  tooth- 
less ;  a  deep  pit  between  eye  and  nostril ;  venomous. 

CROTALID.E,  76. 

***  Upper  jaw  with  small,  permanently  erect  poison  fangs;  no 
ante -orbital  pit;  color  red,  with  black  rings;  somewhat 
venomous ELAPIDJE,  75.  (b.) 


OEDEE  T.-TESTUDINATA. 

(The  Turtles.) 

Reptiles  with  the  body  enclosed  between  two  more  or 
less  developed  bony  shields,  which  are  usually  covered 
by  horny  epidermal  plates,  but  sometimes  (Trionychidce^ 
Sphargididce)  by  a  leathery  skin.  The  carapace  (upper 
shield)  and  plastron  (lower  shield)  are  more  or  less  united 
along  the  sides.  The  neck  and  the  tail  are  the  only 
flexible  parts  of  the  spinal  column,  and  these,  together 
with  the  legs,  can  usually  be  retracted  within  the  box 
made  by  the  two  shields.  The  bony  part  of  the  carapace 
is  formed  by  the  dorsal  and  sacral  vertebrae,  and  the  ribs 
co-ossified  with  a  series  of  overlying  bony  plates,  usually 
accompanied  by  a  marginal  row.  The  dorsal  vertebras 
have  their  ends  flattened  and  immovably  united  by  car- 
tilage, and  all  of  them,  except  the  first  and  last,  have 
their  neural  spines  flattened  horizontally  so  as  to  form 
the  median  line  of  plates.  On  either  side  of  this  series 
is  a  single  row  of  ossified  dermal  plates  overlying  the 
ribs  and  corresponding  in  number  to  the  developed  ribs 
of  which  there  are  usually  eight  pairs. 


160  BEPTILES. 

No  traces  of  a  true  sternum  have  been  discovered 
(Huxley).  The  plastron  consists  of  membrane  bones,  of 
which  there  are  usually  nine  pieces  —  four  pairs  and  a 
single  symmetrical  median  piece.  These  correspond 
neither  in  number  nor  position  with  the  overlying 
dermal  plates. 

The  skull  is  more  compact  than  that  of  the  other  Rep- 
tiles. There  are  no  teeth,  but  the  jaws  are  encased  in 
horny  sheaths,  usually  with  sharp  cutting  edges;  the  eye 
is  furnished  with  two  lids  and  a  nictitating  membrane  as 
in  the  Birds;  the  tympanic  membrane  is  always  present, 
although  sometimes  hidden  by  the  skin.  Respiration  is 
effected  by  swallowing  air. 

The  order  Testudinata  is  divided  by  Prof.  Agassiz  into 
two  sub-orders:  —  AMYD^E,  comprising  the  Land  and 
Fresh  Water  Turtles,  with  retractile  feet  that  may  be 
used  for  walking;  and  CHELONII,  the  Sea  Turtles,  with 
flipper -like  feet  used  chiefly  for  swimming.  Of  the 
latter,  several  species  occur  on  our  coast,  but  we  here 
omit  them. 

FAMILY  LXVI.  — TESTUDINID^E. 

(The  Land  Tortoises.) 

Carapace  strong,  thick,  ovate,  generally  very  convex 
and  falling  off  abruptly  at  both  ends;  caudal  shields 
united  into  one;  plastron  very  broad,  covering  the 
whole  under  surface,  the  anterior  part  sometimes  mov- 
able on  a  transverse  hinge.  Legs  and  feet  club-shaped; 
toes  firmly  bound  together  by  the  integument,  only  the 
blunt  claws  being  exserted. 

Herbivorous  Turtles,  entirely  terrestrial,  inhabiting  the 
warmer  parts  of  both  continents;  about  twenty  species 
are  known. 


EMYDHXE. — LXVH.  161 

/.   TESTUDO,  Linnaeus.     LAXD  TORTOISES. 

>  XerobateS)  Agassiz. 

1.  T.  Carolina,  L.  CAROLINA  "GOPHEE."  L.  15.  S. 
States,  X.  to  N.  C.;  burrows  in  the  ground  like  a  wood- 
chuck. 

FAMILY  LXVIL  —  EMYDID^E. 

(Tfo  Pond  Turtles.) 

Carapace  ovate,  broadest  behind,  the  margin  having  a 
tendency  to  flare  outward,  highest  near  the  middle, 
usually  rather  depressed,  rarely  strongly  convex;  plastron 
covering  the  whole  under  surface,  its  plates  twelve  in 
number;  sometimes  the  anterior  lobe  (and  rarely  the 
posterior  also)  movable  on  a  transverse  hinge,  enabling 
the  animal  to  completely  close  the  shell.  Toes  broadly 
webbed  in  the  aquatic  species;  scarcely  webbed  in  the 
others.  Jaws  never  hooked  and  pointed,  as  in  allied 
families.  They  feed  largely  upon  animals,  but  they 
rarely  catch  active  prey.  They  do  not  bite  except  under 
much  provocation.  Species  seventy  or  eighty,  widely 
distributed,  inhabiting  marshes,  ponds,  and  the  shores  of 
still  streams;  a  few  are  strictly  terrestrial. 
*  Carapace  short,  very  high  and  strongly  convex ;  plastron  united 
to  the  carapace  by  a  more  or  less  cartilaginous  suture  and 
divided  by  a  transverse  hinge  into  two  or  more  movable 
pieces ;  the  anterior  one,  the  smaller ;  toes  scarcely  webbed ; 

terrestrial CISTUDO,  1. 

**  Carapace  somewhat  elongated,  considerably  arched ;  plastron 
immovable ;  toes  short,  with  a  small  web ;  feet  more  nearly 
equal,  and  habits  less  aquatic  than  in  the  succeeding  groups; 
species  of  small  size. 

a.  Shell  more  or  less  carinated,  without  round  spots;  upper  jaw 

deeply  notched  and  arched  downward.      .      CHELOPUS,  2. 

aa.  Shell  not  carinated,  black,  usually  with  round,  yellowish 

spots ;  upper  jaw  slightly  notched,  its  edges  nearly  straight. 

NANEMYS,  3. 


162  REPTILES. 

***  Carapace  rather  depressed ;  plastron  wide,  flat,  movable  upon 
the  carapace  and  also  upon  a  transverse  hinge;  anterior 
lobe  somewhat  smaller  than  the  posterior,  which  is  emargi- 

nate  behind ;  toes  webbed EMYS,  4 

****  Carapace  rather  flat ;  plastron  wide  and  flat,  as  is  also  the 
bridge  connecting  it  to  the  carapace ;  toes  broadly  webbed ; 
hind-legs  much  stouter  than  fore-legs ;  larger  species,  deci- 
dedly aquatic. 

f  Upper  jaw  not  notched  in  front ;  carapace  more  or  less  strongly 
keeled  or  tuberculated.       .      .      .      MALACOCLEMMYS,  6. 
ft  Upper  jaw  notched  in  front;  shell  not  keeled  in  adult. 
$  Horizontal  alveolar  surfaces  of  jaws  not  divided  by  a  longi- 
tudinal ridge;    stripes  on  neck,  tail,  legs,  etc.,  bright  red 
(in  our  species) ;  head  with  yellow  lines ;  large  plates  of 
carapace  plain ;  marginal  plates  with  bright  red  mark- 
ings; a  small  tooth  on  each  side  of  notch  in  upper  jaw; 

shell  never  keeled CIIRYSEMYS,  5. 

\\  Horizontal  alveolar  surfaces  divided  by  a  longitudinal 
ridge,  running  parallel  with  the  cutting  edge;  stripes  on 
legs,  etc.,  usually  yellow,  never  bright  red;  large  plates 
of  carapace  often  variegated;  traces  of  a  keel  usually 
evident,  at  least  in  the  young.  .  .  PSEUDEMYS,  7. 

/.  CISTUDO,  Fleming.     Box  TURTLES. 

1.  C.  clausa,  (Gm.)     COMMON  Box  TURTLE.     Colors 
very  variable,  chiefly  blackish  variegated  with  yellowish; 
N.  Y.  to  Mo.  and  S.  in  dry  woods. 

Var.  triunguis,  (Ag.)  Cope.  THREE-TOED  Box  TURTLE. 
Hind-feet  mostly  3-toed,  paler.     Southern,  N.  to  Perm. 

2.  C.  ornata,  Ag.     NORTHERN  Box  TURTLE.     "  Shell 
round,   broad,   flat,   without   keel,    even  when   young." 
Iowa  and  W. 

2.  CHELOPUS,  Rafinesque.     WOOD  TURTLES. 

*  A  deep  notch  in  upper  jaw,  with  a  lengthened  tooth  on  each 
side  of  it ;  lower  jaw  strongly  arched  upwards.  (Calemys,  Ag.) 


EMYDID^. — LXVII.  163 

1.  C.  muhlenbergii,  (Schweigger)  Cope.  MUHLEXBERG'S 
TORTOISE.     Brown   with   yellowish    markings ;   plastron 
black  with  yellowish  central  blotch;  an  orange  spot  on 
each  side  of  neck  ;    shell  somewhat   carinated;  L.  4J. 
E.  Penn.  and  N.  J. 

**  Upper  jaw  broad  at  end,  arched  downward,  with  a  notch  at 
tip;  just  behind  the  tip  the  horny  sheath  slants  inward  so 
that  the  width  of  the  jaw  is  less  than  that  of  the  forehead; 
edge  of  lower  jaw  straight,  excepting  the  tip  which  is  strongly 
upcurved.  (Glyptemys,  Ag.) 

2.  C.  insculptus,  Le  0.     WOOD  TORTOISE.     Shell  car- 
inated, its  plates  marked  with  concentric  stria?  and  radi- 
ating lines;  plastron  with  a  black  blotch  on  each  plate; 
L.  8.     U.  S.,  E.  of  Ohio,  in  woods  and  fields. 

3.  NANEMYS,  Agassiz.     SPECKLED  TORTOISES. 

1.  N.  guttafus,  (Schn.)  Ag.  SPECKLED  TORTOISE. 
Black,  dotted  more  or  less  with  orange,  these  spots  rarely 
obsolete;  plastron  yellow,  blotched  with  black;  shell  not 
carinated;  L.  4£.  E.  U.  S.,  W.  to  N.  Ind.  (Levette)', 
abundant. 

4.  EMYS,  Brogniart.     TORTOISES. 

1.  E.  meleagris,  (Shaw)  Ag.  BLAXDIXG'S  TORTOISE. 
Jet  black;  usually  with  yellowish  spots;  plastron  yellow- 
ish with  black  blotches;  head  \vith  yellow  spots;  L.  8. 
Wisconsin  to  Alleghaiiies,  in  moist  woods  and  fields. 

5.  CHRYSEMYS,  Gray.     PAIXTED  TURTLES. 

1.  C.  picia,  (Herm.)  Ag.  PAIXTED  TURTLE.  MUD 
TURTLE.  Greenish  black;  plates  margined  with  paler; 
marginal  plates  marked  with  bright  red;  plastron  yellow, 
often  blotched  with  brown;  L.  8.  E.  U.  S.,  one  of  the 
most  common  turtles. 

Var.  marginata,  Ag.  Plates  of  carapace  alternating 
or  in  quincunx,  the  lateral  rows  out  of  line  with  the 


164  EEPTILES. 

middle  One,  instead  of  forming  sets  of  three  as  in  the 
eastern  form;  lateral  plates  with  strong  concentric  stria?. 
W.  N.  Y.  and  W.,  common.  C.  oregonensis,  (Holb.)  Ag., 
without  red  markings,  occurs  in  Minn,  and  W. 

6.  MALACOCLEMMYS,  Gray.     MARSH  TURTLES. 

*  Lower  jaw  spread  out  into  a  spoon-shaped  dilatation ;  head  with 

a  horny  skin ;  inland  turtles.    (Graptemys,  Ag.) 

1.  M.  geographicus,  (LeS.)  Cope.    MAP  TURTLE.    Dark 
olive  brown  with  greenish  and  yellow  streaks  and  retic- 
ulations,  especially  distinct  on   neck,  legs  and  edges  of 
carapace;  plastron  yellowish;  carapace  strongly  notched 
behind  and  usually  decidedly  keeled.     Miss.  Valley,  E. 
to  N.  Y. 

2.  M.  pseudogeographicus,  (Holbr.)  Cope.    LESUEUR'S 
MAP  TURTLE.     Much  like  the  preceding  but  grayer,  the 
markings  on  the  shell  paler,  less  distinct  and  in  larger 
pattern;    keel  of   carapace  stronger,  each  plate  of   the 
vertebral  series  with  a  blackish  projection  behind,  which 
is  more  or  less  imbricated  over  the  succeeding  plate; 
plastron  yellowish,  marbled  with  blackish;    head,   neck 
and  legs  with  bright  yellow  stripes.     Wis.  to  Ohio  and 
S.  W. 

**  Sheath  of  jaws  straight,  the  cutting  edges  smooth;   salt-marsh 
turtles.    (Malacoclemmys.) 

3.  M.     palustris,    (Gmel.)      SALT -MARSH    TURTLE. 
DIAMOND -BACK.     Greenish  or  dark  olive;  plates,  both 
of  carapace  and  plastron,  with  concentric  dark  stripes. 
N.  Y.  to  Texas,  along  the  coast. 

7.  PSEUDEMYS,  Gray.     TERRAPINS. 

*  Jaws  serrated.    (Ptycliemys,  Ag.) 

1.  P.  rugosa,  (Shaw).  RED-BELLIED  TERRAPIN.  Dusky, 
with  red  markings  above;  marginal  plates  with  much 
red;  plastron  red  or  partly  yellowish;  neck,  etc.,  with 


CINOSTEBNID^. — LXVIII.  165 

yellow  stripes;  variable;  N.  J.  to  Va.,  an  elegant  turtle, 

known  by  the  serrated  jaws. 

**  Jaws  not  serrated.    (Trachemys,  Ag.) 

2.  P.  hieroglyphica,  (Holbr.)     HIEROGLYPHIC  TURTLE. 
Shell  smooth,  depressed;  olive  brown  with  broad  reticu- 
lated, yellowish  lines;  plastron  dingy  yellow;  head  very 
small.     E.  U.  S. 

3.  P.  troost//,  (Holbr.)     YELLOW-BELLIED  TERRAPIN. 
Greenish  -  black,  lateral  plates  with  horn -colored   lines 
and  spots;  plastron  dull  yellow,  with  large,  black  blotches; 
throat  with  greenish  stripes;  shell  never  keeled.     Miss. 
Valley,  N.  to  Ills. 

4.  P.  e/egansf  (Wied.)     ELEGANT  TERRAPIN.     Brown 
with  yellowish  wavy  lines  and  blotches;  a  blood-red  band 
on    each   side    of   neck;    plastron  yellow  with  a   dusty 
blotch  on  each  plate.      Ills,  to  Rocky  Mountains. 

5.  P.  scabra,  (L.)  Cope.      ROUGH  TERRAPIN.     Dark 
brown,  with  yellow  stripes;  plastron  yellow  with  small 
black  blotches  in  front;  carapace  wrinkled.     Va.  to  Fla, 

FAMILY  LXVIII.  — CINOSTERNID^E. 

(The  Cinosternoid  Turtles.) 

Carapace  rather  long  and  narrow,  the  outline  usually 
rising  gradually  from  the  front  to  a  point  beyond  the 
center  of  the  shell,  then  abruptly  descending;  the  bulk 
of  the  body  therefore  thrown  backward;  margin  of  the 
carapace  turning  downward  and  inward  rather  than  out- 
ward; plastron  proportionally  large,  covered  with  7,  9  or 
11  horny  plates,  the  anterior  pair  coalescing  into  one; 
anterior,  and  sometimes  also  posterior  lobe  of  plastron, 
often  movable  upon  the  fixed  central  portion;  head 
pointed;  jaws  usually  strong. 

Turtles  of  small  size,  chiefly  American. 


166  REPTILES. 

*  Anterior  ana  posterior  lobes  of  plastron  nearly  equal,  both  freely 
movable  and  capable  of  closing  the  shell;  posterior  lobe 
eniarginate  behind,  its  angles  rounded;  carapace  without 
traces  of  keel  in  adult CINOSTERNUM,  1. 

**  Posterior  lobe  of  plastron  narrower  and  longer,  truncate  behind, 
its  angles  rather  pointed;  lobes  of  plastron  little  movable, 
incapable  of  closing  the  shell ;  carapace  more  or  less  carin- 
ated,  at  least  when  young ;  head  very  large,  with  strong  jaws. 

AROMOCHELYS,  2. 

/.  CINOSTERNUM,W*g\zv.     SMALL  Box  TURTLES. 
>  Thrynosternum,  Ag. 

1.  C.  pennsylvanicum,  (Bosc.)  Bell.  SMALL  MUD 
TURTLE.  Shell  dusky  brown;  head  and  neck  with  light 
stripes  and  yellow  dots;  anterior  dorsal  plate  nearly  as 
broad  in  front  as  long;  L.  4.  N.  Y.  to  Fla.  and  W. 

2.  AROMOCHELYS,  Gray.     MUSK  TURTLES. 
—  Ozotheca^  Agassi z. 

1.  A.    odoraius,     (Latreille)     Gray.     MUSK    TURTLE. 
STINK- POT.     Shell  dusky,  clouded,  sometimes  spotted; 
head  very  large  with  strong  jaws;  carapace  with  traces 
of  a  keel,  but  the  plates  not  imbricated  in  the  adult; 
anterior  dorsal   plate  nearly  twice    as   wide  as  long  in 
front;  a  yellow  stripe  from  snout,  above  eye,  down  the 
side  of  neck  and  another  below  eye;  a  strong  musky  odor; 
L.  6.    E.  U.  S.,  abundant.    W.  to  Indiana.    (Levette) 

2.  A.  carinatus,  Gray.    LITTLE  MUSK  TURTLE.     Plates 
of  carapace  overlapping  more  or  less,  each  one  edged 
with   black   and   marked  with  radiating  stripes;    neck 
unstriped.      Lower   Mississippi   region.      ( Gomochelys 
minor,  Ag.) 

FAMILY  LXIX.  —  CHELYDRID^E. 

(The  Snapping  Turtles) 
Shell  high  in  front,  low  behind;  bulk  of  body  thrown 


TKIONYCHID^]. — LXX.  167 

forward;  head  and  neck  very  large;  jaws  stronger 
hooked,  and  exceedingly  powerful;  tail  long,  strong, 
with  a  crest  of  horny,  compressed  tubercles;  plastron 
small,  cross-shaped,  covered  with  twelve  plates;  bridge 
very  narrow. 

Large  turtles  of  great  strength  and  voracity,  chiefly 
aquatic;  two  of  the  three  species  are  American,  the 
third  (P I  at y sternum)  is  from  China.  Their  fierceness  is 
well  known;  when  angry  they  elevate  the  body,  and,  in 
biting,  throw  themselves  forcibly  forward. 

*  Head  rough,  covered  with  soft  skin ;  tail  with  two  rows  of 
large  scales  beneath ;  ridges  of  carapace  disappearing  with 
age;  jaws  moderately  hooked.  .  .  .  CHELYDRA,  1. 

**  Head  very  large,  covered  with  smooth,  symmetrical  plates; 
tail  with  many  small  imbricate  scales  beneath ;  carapace  very 
strongly  three-keeled;  jaws  very  strongly  hooked. 

MACROCHELYS,  2. 

/.  CHELYDRA,  Schweigger.     SNAPPING  TURTLES. 
1.   C.   serpentina,   (L.)    Schw.      COMMON    SNAPPING 
TURTLE.     Canada  to  Equador,  every  where  abundant. 

2.  MACROCHELYS,  Gray.     ALLIGATOR  SNAPPERS. 

=  Gypochelys,  Ag. 

1.  /Iff.  /acert/na,  (Schw.)  MISSISSIPPI  SNAPPER.  Gulf 
States,  X.  to  Illinois;  "perhaps  the  most  ferocious,  and, 
for  their  size,  the  strongest  of  reptiles." 

FAMILY  LXX.  —  TRION YCHID^J. 

(Tlie  Soft-Shelled  Turtles.} 

Body  flat,  nearly  orbicular;  carapace  not  completely 
ossified,  the  ribs  projecting  freely  towards  the  outer 
extremities ;  marginal  ossicles  rudimentary ;  carapace 
and  plastron  covered  by  a  thick  leathery  skin  which  is 
flexible  at  the  margins.  Head  long  and  pointed  with  a 


168  REPTILES. 

long,  flexible,  tubular,  pig-like  snout;  neck  long.     Feet 
broadly  webbed;    toes  long,  5-5,  but  the  claws  only  3-3. 
Aquatic,  carnivorous  and  voracious;  species  about  30, 
in  both  hemispheres. 

*  Nostrils  terminal,  crescent -shaped;  a  prominent  longitudinal 
ridge  projecting  from  each  side  of  septum.  ASPIDONECTES,  1. 

**  Nostrils  rather  under  the  tip  of  snout;  nasal  septum  with- 
out an  internal  longitudinal  ridge  on  each  side.  AMYDA,  2. 

/.  ASPIDONECTES,  Wagler.      SOFT -SHELLED  TURTLES. 

1.  A.  spinifer,  (LeSueur)  Ag.   COMMON  SOFT-  SHELLED 
TURTLE.    Carapace  olive  brown  with  dark  spots;  plastron 
nearly  white;    head   and   neck   olive   green  with  light 
and  dark  stripes;    legs   and    feet    mottled  every  where 
with  dark;  male  with  the  tubercles  on  the  front  of  the 
carapace  smaller  than  in  the  female,  the  body  also  longer 
and  the  tail  extending  considerably  beyond  the  margin 
of  the  carapace.    Great  Lakes  and  Upper  Mississippi, 
abundant. 

2.  A.  nuchalis,  Ag.    CUMBERLAND  TURTLE.    A  marked 
depression  on  either  side  of  the  keel,  which  is  dilated 
and  triangular  anteriorly;    spines  and  tubercles  on  cara- 
pace largely  developed.     Cumberland  and  Upper  Tenn. 
Rivers. 

2.  AMYDA,  Agassiz.     LEATHERY  TURTLES. 
1.  A.   mutica,   (Les.)   Ag.      LEATHERY   TURTLE.      A 
depression  along  median  line  of  carapace;  no  spines  nor 
tubercles  along  anterior  margin  nor  on  back;    feet  not 
mottled  below.     Upper  Mississippi  and  Great  Lakes. 


OEDEE  U.-LACEETILIA. 

(The  Lizards.} 
Reptiles  not  shielded,  with  the  body  usually  covered 


IGUANID^E. — LXXI.  169 

with  overlapping  scales;  mouth  not  dilatable;  tongue 
free;  jaws  always  with  teeth.  Limbs  four,  distinct, 
rarely  rudimentary  and  hidden  by  the  skin ;  a  pectoral 
arch  developed.  Feet  usually  with  five  digits,  the 
phalanges  normally  2,  3,  4,  5,  3  or  4.  Tail  usually  long 
and  in  many  cases  very  brittle,  readily  broken  by  a 
slight  blow;  this  is  owing  to  a  thin,  unossified,  trans- 
verse septum,  which  traverses  each  vertebra.  "  The 
vertebra  naturally  breaks  with  great  readiness  through 
the  plane  of  the  septum,  and  when  such  lizards  are 
seized  by  the  tail,  that  appendage  is  pretty  certain  to 
part  at  one  of  these  weak  points"  (Huxley).  Vent  a 
cross  slit;  urinary  bladder  present.  The  great  majority 
of  the  numerous  species  belong  to  tropical  and  sub- 
tropical regions. 

FAMILY  LXXL  — IGUANID^E. 

(The  Iguanas.) 

New  World  lizards  of  various  habits;  the  tongue  short 
and  thick  and  the  eyes  diurnal  with  round  pupils;  scales 
imbricated,  those  on  the  belly  small  and  rhombic.  Feet 
for  walking;  toes  unequal.  Tail  with  more  or  less  dis- 
tinct whorls  of  scales,  which  are  commonly  spinous. 
Warmer  parts  of  America.  Genera  about  sixty;  species 
one  hundred  and  fifty,  or  more.  (Gray.) 
*  Body  moderately  depressed ;  head  broad,  not  spinous ;  ventral 

plates  not  keeled SCELOPORUS,  1. 

**  Body  much  depressed ;  head  armed  with  stout  spines. 

PHRYNOSOMA,  2. 

/.  SCELOPORUS,  Wiegmann.     TREE  SWIFTS. 

=  Tropidolepis,  Cuvier. 

1.    S.    undulatus,    (Harlan  )       PINE    TREE    LIZARD. 
SWIFT.     Greenish,  bluish,  or  bronzed,  with  black,  wavy 
cross  bands  above ;  throat  and  sides  of  belly  usually  with 
8 


170  REPTILES. 

brilliant  blue  or  green;  dorsal  scales  rather  large,  cari- 
nated;  tail  slender;  L.  7.  U.  S.,  in  pine  forests,  etc.; 
abundant  southward;  varies  greatly  in  color. 

2.  PHRYNOSOMA,Wiegmnnn.  HORNED  TOADS. 
1.  P.  douglasi,  Bell.  HORNED  TOAD.  TEGUEXIN.  No 
row  of  large  spines  along  sides  of  belly;  ventral  scales 
smooth.  Central  and  Western  parts  of  U.  S.  south- 
westward  occurs  P.  cormttum  (Harlan)  Gray,  with  a  row 
of  stout  lateral  spines,  and  carinated  ventral  plates. 

FAMILY  LXXIL  —  ANGUIDJE. 

(The  Glass  Snakes.) 

Limbs  rudimentary,  hidden  under  the  skin;  body, 
therefore,  snake-like  in  form,  but  the  general  aspect 
lizard-like.  Through  ignorance  of  the  boundaries  of 
this  family,  I  am  unable  to  characterize  it. 

/.  OPHEOSAURUS,  Daudin.    GLASS  SNAKES. 

1.  0.  ventralis,  (L.)  Daud.  GLASS  SNAKE.  Body 
serpentiform ;  a  conspicuous  lateral  fold;  no  external 
limbs;  tail  very  brittle,  as  in  most  lizards;  dusky  and  yel- 
low with  narrow  black  streaks.  Tenn.  to  Kansas  and  S. 

FAMILY  LXXITL  — TEID^E. 

(The  Teguexins.} 

New  World  Lizards;  head  pyramidal,  with  regular 
many-sided  shields;  scales  of  back  granular  or  carinated; 
throat  scaly,  usually  with  a  double  collar.  Warmer 
parts  of  America;  genera  12;  species  about  40. 

/.  CNEMIDOPHORUS,  Wiegmann.     TARAGUIKAS. 
1.  C.  sex/ineatuSf  (L.)  D.  &  B.     SIX-LINED   LIZARD. 
Olive,  with  3  or  4  yellow  streaks  on  each  side;  abdomen 


SCINCHXE. — LXXIV.  171 

silvery;    length   6  to  9   inches.      S.  E.  Va.  to  Ills,  and 
Mexico. 

FAMILY  LXXIV.— SCINCID^E. 

(T7te  Skinks.) 

Head  subquadrangular;  regularly  shielded;  body  fusi- 
form or  subcylindrical,  often  with  longitudinal  stripes; 
limbs  4,  various.  Genera  50;  species  150;  in  most  parts 
of  the  world. 

*  Ear  large;  its  front  edge  dentate;  lower  eye -lid  scaly. 

EUMECES,  1. 

**  Ear  very  large,  circular,  its  front  edge  rounded;  lower  eye -lid 
with  a  transparent  disk OLIGOSOMA,  2. 

/.  EUMECES,  Wiegmann.     BLUE  TAILS. 

=  Plestiodon,  Auct. 

1.  E.  fasciatus,  (L.)    BLUE-TAILED  LIZARD.    Blackish, 
with  fine  yellowish   streaks,  middle  one  forked  on  the 
head;  tail  mostly  blue;  old  specimens  sometimes  red- 
dish olive,  obscurely  striped;    head  reddish;  L.  8  to  11. 
U.  S.,  E.  of  the  Rocky  Mts.;  abundant  S.;  very  variable. 

2.  E.  septentrionalis,  (Baird)  Cope.    NORTHERN  SKINK. 
Olive,  with    four   dark  stripes   above;    sides  with   two 
narrow  white  lines  margined  on  each  side  with  black. 
Minnesota  to  Nebraska. 

3.  E.    anihracinus,    (Baird)    Cope.      COAL    SKLNK. 
Black  (?).     Alleganies,  from  Penn.  S. 

2.  OLIGOSOMA,  Girard.     Mocos. 

1.  0.  laterals,  (Say )  Grd.  GROUND  LIZARD.  Chest- 
nut color;  on  each  side  a  black  lateral  band,  edged  with 
white;  abdomen  yellowish;  tail  blue  below;  head  short, 
small  and  slender;  L.  5.  Southern  States,  abundant;  N. 
to  Illinois.  (Nelson.) 


172  REPTILES. 

OEDEE  V.-OPHIDIA. 

(The  Serpents.) 

Reptiles,  not  shielded,  with  an  epidermal  covering  of 
imbricated  scales,  which  is  shed  as  a  whole  and  replaced 
at  regular  intervals.  Mouth  very  dilatable,  the  bones  of 
the  lower  jaw  separate  from  each  other,  only  united 
by  ligaments.  Limbs  wanting,  or  represented  by  small 
spurs  on  the  sides  of  the  vent;  vent  a  transverse  slit. 
Various  anatomical  characters  distinguish  the  snakes, 
but  the  elongated  form  and  absence  of  limbs  separate 
them  at  once  from  all  our  other  Vertebrates,  excepting 
the  Lizard  Opheosaurus,  and  this  is  not  in  any  other 
respect,  snake-like. 

FAMILY  LXXV.  (a)  —  COLUBRID^E. 

(The  Colubrine  Snakes.) 

Both  jaws  fully  provided  with  teeth,  which  are  conical 
and  not  grooved;  head  covered  with  shields;  no  poison 
fangs;  no  spur -like  appendages  to  vent;  belly  covered 
with  broad  band  -  like  plates  (gastrosteges) ;  tail  conical, 
tapering;  sub -caudal  plates  (urosteges)  arranged  in 
pairs. 

A  very  large  family  comprising  nearly  one  hundred 
genera,  and  upwards  of  four  hundred  species,  found 
in  nearly  every  part  of  the  world,  but  most  abundant  in 
warm  regions.  They  differ  from  the  Elapidce  of  the 
Southern  U.  S.  and  southward,  in  the  want  of  erect 
poison  fangs;  from  the  Crotalidce,  in  having  both  jaws 
fully  provided  with  teeth,  and  the  absence  of  erectile 
poison  fangs;  and  from  the  Boidoe  and  their  relatives  in 
the  want  of  the  spur -like  rudimentary  posterior  limbs. 

The  following  key  is  entirely  artificial,  and  in  the 
consideration  of  the  species,  I  have  generally  omitted 


COLUBBID^E. — LXXY.  173 

characters  taken  from  the  cephalic  plates  as  not  available 
for  my  purpose. 
*  Dorsal  scales  carinated. 
f  Anal  plate  entire. 

a.  Rows  of  scales  19  to  21 ;  ventral  plates  (gastrosteges)  140  to 

170 ;    general  color  3  light  stripes  on  a  darker  ground ; 
sides  usually  with  spots ;  mostly  viviparous. 

EUT^ENIA,  5. 

aa.  Rows  of  scales  29  to  37 ;  gastrosteges  200  to  240 ;    general 
color  whitish  with  a  triple  series  of  dark  blotches. 

PITYOPHIS,  7. 
ft  ^.nal  plate  bifid. 

b.  Rows  of  scales  15  to  17. 

c.  Tail  about  one-third  of  total  length ;  gastrosteges  150  to 
160;  urosteges  100  or  more ;  color  clear  golden  green. 

CYCLOPHIS,  9. 

cc.  Tail  much  less  than  one-third  of  total  length ;  gastro- 
steges 125  to  130 ;  urosteges  60  or  less ;  color  brown  or 
reddish. 

d.  With  one  or  two    faint  grayish  dorsal   stripes  and 

usually  a  broken  dusky  band  along  sides ;    small 

species:  rows  of  scales  15  to  17;   loral  plate  absent; 

anteorbital  present.         .        .        .         STORERIA,  4. 

dd.  No  dorsal  stripe;    rows  of  scales  17;    loral  plate 

present ;  anteorbital  wanting.         .         HALDEA,  16. 

bb.  Rows  of  scales  19  to  21. 

e.  Gastrosteges  130  to  170;  general  color  usually  3  or  more 
dark  bands  on  a  lighter  ground ;  size  large. 

TROPIDOXOTUS,  2. 

ee.  Gastrosteges  130  to  140 ;  general  color  brown  with  many 
obscure  black  cross-blotches,  distinct  on  neck ;  belly 
salmon  red  with  a  row  of  black  spots  on  each  side ; 

size  small TROPIDOCLONITJM,  3. 

bbb.  Rows  of  scales  23  to  29. 

/.  Form  short  and  stout ;  snout  prominent,  acute,  recurved 
and  keeled,  forming  a  sharp  ridge;  head  flattened 
when  angry ;  gastrosteges  125  to  150.  HETERODOX,  1, 


174  KEPTILBS. 

ff.  Snout  not  recurved  and  keeled ;  species  of  large  size. 
g.  Gastrosteges  130  to  155 ;  general  color  3  series  of  dark 
blotches  on  a  lighter  ground,  sometimes  simply 
barred  or  uniformly  dark  or  reddish ;  aquatic. 

TROPIDONOTUS,  2. 

gg.  Gastrosteges  200  to  235 ;  general  color  brown  or  black, 

sometimes  with  quadrate  blotches ;  abdomen  usually 

blotched ;   terrestrial.        .        .        .        COLUBER,  8. 

**  Dorsal  scales  smooth. 

\  Anal  plate  entire;  gastrosteges  175  to 200-  color  black,  brown 

or  red,  more  or  less  variegated. 
h.  Rows  of  scales  21  to  25 ;  loral  plate  present. 

OPHIBOLUS,  12. 

hh.  Rows  of  scales  19;  no  loral  plate.       .      .      OSCEOLA,  13. 
ft  Anal  plate  bifid ;  scales  in  13  to  17  rows. 
t*.  Gastrosteges  170  to  210;   scales  in  17  rows;    snakes  very 
large  or  very  long  —  ours  lustrous  pitch  black  in  color 

when  adult BASCANIUM.  6. 

ii.  Gastrosteges  less  than  170 ;  snakes  of  medium  to  small  size. 
j.  Scales  in  13  rows;  gastrosteges  120  to  135;  brown,  salmon 
color  or  yellowish  beneath.        .       CARPHOPHIOPS,  18. 
jj.  Scales  in  15  to  17  rows. 

k.  Color  black,  unstriped ;  a  distinct  yellowish  ring  about 

neck;  gastrosteges  140  to  160.      .      DIADOPETIS,  11. 

kk.  Color  clear  bright  green ;  no  collar ;  gastrosteges  130 

to  140 LIOPELTIS,  10. 

kkk.  Color  brownish,  with  black  dots ;  no  collar ;    gastro- 
steges 115  to  125 VIRGINIA,  17. 

£$  Anal  plate  bifid ;  scales  in  19  rows ;  gastrosteges,  170  to  185. 

I.  Bluish  black  with  squarish  red  spots  on  the  blanks ;  abdomen 

red  with  black  spots FARANCIA,  14. 

II.  Blue-black,  with  three  red  lines ;  abdomen  yellowish  with 

a  series  of  dark  spots ABASTOR,  15. 

/.  HETERODQN,  Beauvais.     SPREADING  ADDERS. 
1.  H.  platyrhinus,  Latreille.     BLOWING  VIPER.     HOG- 


.  —  LXXV.  175 


NOSE  SNAKE.  Brownish,  with  about  28  dark  dorsal 
blotches,  besides  lateral  ones  and  half  rings  on  the  tail; 
sometimes  uniform  black.  Vertical  plate  longer  than 
broad,  about  equal  to  occipitals;  L.  30;  G.  125  to  150; 
scales  25.  E.  U.  S.,  abundant.  A  very  variable  species; 
when  angry  it  depresses  and  expands  the  head,  hissing 
furiously,  thus  exhibiting  a  very  threatening  appearance, 
but  it  is  perfectly  harmless. 

2.  H.  simus,  (L.)  Holbrook.  HOG-  NOSED  SNAKE. 
Dorsal  blotches  about  35;  ground  color  usually  paler  or 
yellowish  brown;  vertical  plate  much  longer  than  occip- 
itals, broader  than  long;  G.  130;  scales  23  to  27,  usually 
25.  Southern,  N.  to  Ills,  and  Wis. 

2.  TROPIDONOTUS,  Kuhl.    WATER  SNAKES. 
*  Scales  in  23  to  29  rows.    (Nerodia,  B.  &  G.) 

1.  T.  sipedon,  (L.)  Holbr.     WATER  SNAKE.     WATER 
ADDER.     Brownish;  back  and  sides  with  each  a  series  of 
large,  square,  dark  blotches  alternating  with  each  other; 
rarely  uniformly  dusky;  scales  23;  G.  130  to  150;  L.  30 
to  50.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant;  aquatic. 

Var.  erythrog  aster,  (Shaw)  Cope.  RED  -BELLIED 
WATER  SNAKE.  Uniform  red-black  above;  copper-color 
below;  head  elongated.  Michigan  to  Kansas  and  S. 

Var.  woodhousei,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope.  Scales  in  25  rows. 
Mo.  to  Texas. 

2.  T.    rhombifer,    Hallowell.       HOLBROOK'S  WATER 
SNAKE.      Brown,    with    black    quadrangular    blotches; 
scales  in  27  rows.     Mich.,  Ills,  and  S. 

**  Scales  in  19  to  21  rows.    (JRegina,  B.  &  G.) 

3.  T.  rigidus,  (Say)  Holbr.     STIFF  SNAKE.     Greenish 
brown;    two  brown   dorsal  bands;    abdomen  yellowish, 
spotted;  outer  row  of  scales  smooth;  scales  19;  G.  130 
to  170;  L.  24.     Penn.  to  Ga. 


1T6  REPTILES. 

4.  T.  leberis,  (L.)  Holbr.    LEATHER  SNAKE.    Chestnut 
brown;    a  yellow  lateral  band  and  three  narrow  black 
dorsal  stripes;  scales  all  carinated;  scales  19;  G.  140  to 
150;  L.  24.     U.  S.,  chiefly  eastward. 

5.  T.  grahami,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope.     GRAHAM'S  SNAKE. 
Brown;  a  broad  yellowish  lateral  band;  scales  all  strongly 
carinated;    head   slender;    abdomen   unspotted;    scales 
19  (to  21?);  G.  100;  L.  20.      Mississippi  Valley,  N.  to 
Michigan. 

3.   TROPIDOCLONIUM,  Cope.     LITTLE  RED  SNAKES. 

1.  T.  kirtlandi,  (Kenn.)  Cope.  KIRTLAND'S  SNAKE. 
Head  shiny  black;  vertical  plate  broad;  scales  19,  all 
carinated;  G.  115  to  140;  L.  8.  Ohio  to  111.;  a  hand- 
some little  snake. 

4.  STORERIA,  Baird  and  Girard.   RED  -  BELLIED  SNAKES. 
=  IschnognathuS)  Dum.  &  Bibron. 

1.  S.  occipitomaculata,  (Storer)  B.  &  G.     RED-BELLIED 
SNAKE.     Grayish  or  chestnut  -brown,  usually  showing  a 
paler  vertebral  band  bordered  by  blackish  dots;  obscure 
dots  on  side;    occiput  with  three  pale    blotches  (very 
constant);  belly  salmon  red;  scales  15;  G.   120  to  125; 
L.  12.     U.  S.,  chiefly  eastward;  abundant. 

2.  S.  dekayi,   (Holbr.)  B.  &  G.      DEKAT'S  BROWN 
SNAKE.      Grayish  brown;    a  clay -colored  dorsal  band, 
bordered  by  dotted  lines;  grayish  below;  body  thickish, 
tapering  towards  the   small  head;  scales  17;    G.   125  to 
130;  L.  12.     E.  U.  S. 

5.  EUT/ENIA,  Baird  and  Girard.     GARTER  SNAKES. 

*  Body  very  slender,    elongated;    tail  nearly  one- third  of  total 
length ;  scales  in  19  rows. 

1.  E.  saurita,  (L.)  B.  &  G.    RIBAND  SNAKE.     SWIFT 


COLUBBID.E. — LXXV.  177 

GARTER  SNAKE.  Brown  with  three  yellow  stripes; 
light,  clear  brown,  below  the  lateral  stripes;  tail  usually 
more  than  -^  of  length;  colors  bright;  G.  150  to  160;  L. 
36.  U.  S.,  chiefly  E.  of  the  Alleghanies. 

2.  £.   faireyi,  B.  &  G.       FAIRIE'S    GARTER   SNAKE. 
Blackish,  with  three  greenish  yellow  stripes;  body  rela- 
tively stout;  tail  less  than  ^  length;  space  below  bands 
same   color  as  above;    G.   165  to  180;    L.   30.      Miss. 
Valley,  N.  to  Wis. 

3.  £.  proxima,  (Say)  B.  &  G.     SAY'S  GARTER  SNAKE. 
Blackish,  dorsal  stripe  brownish  yellow;  lateral  stripes 
greenish;  tail  \  of  total  length;  sides  colored  like  back; 
G.  165  to  175;  L.  35.     Miss.  Valley,  N.  to  Wis. 

**  Body  stouter ;  tail  shorter,  about  J  of  total  length ;  scales  19. 

4.  £.  radix,  Baird  &  Girard.     HOY'S  GARTER  SNAKE. 
Black  with  three  narrow  yellow  lines;  scales  very  rough, 
the  outer  row  broad;  colors  deep;  head  short;  G.  150  to 
160;  L.  25.     L.  Michigan  to  Oregon. 

5.  £.  si  rial  is,  (L.)  B.  &  G.     COMMON  GARTER  SNAKE. 
STRIPED  SNAKE.     Olivaceous,  dorsal  stripe  narrow;  lat- 
eral  stripes  rather  broad  but  not  conspicuous  ;    colors 
generally  duller  than  in  the  other  species,  lateral  rows 
of  spots  more  or  less  distinct;  G.  130  to  160.     N.  Am., 
every   where  ;    our   commonest   snake ;    very   variable. 
Prominent  varieties  are: 

Var.  ordinata,  (L.)  Cope,  has  the  stripes  duller  and 
the  spots  more  distinct,  85  in  number.  Chiefly  north- 
eastward. 

Var.  dorsalis,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope,  has  the  dorsal  stripe 
broad,  and  a  row  of  distinct  spots  above  the  lateral  stripe. 
N.  Am.,  every  where. 

Var.    parietalis,   (Say  )    Cope,   has   the   stripes   dull 


178  REPTILES. 

greenish  and  the  spaces  between  the  lateral  spots  vivid 
brick  red.     Ind.  (Jordan)  and  W. 

6.  BASCANIUM,  Baird  and  Girard.     BLACK  SNAKES. 
>  Coryphodon,  Dumeril  et  Bibron. 

1.  B.  constrictor,  (L.)  B.  &  G.  BLACK  SNAKE.  Lus- 
trous pitch  black,  greenish  below,  chin  and  throat  white; 
young  olive  with  rhomboid  blotches  ;  large,  rather 
slender;  scales  17  (rarely  19);  G.  170  to  200;  L.  50  to 
60.  E.  U.  S.,  common  E.  and  S. 

7.  PITYOPHIS,  Holbrook.     PINE  SNAKES. 

1.  P.   melanoleucus,   (Daud.)   Holb.      PINE    SNAKE. 
BULL  SNAKE.      White,  with   chestnut    brown    blotches 
which  are  margined  with  black,  besides  other  markings; 
scales  29;  G.  220  to  230;  L.  60.     Pine  woods;  N.  J.  to 
Ohio  and  southward. 

2.  P.  sayi,  (Schlegel)  B.  &  G.    WESTERN  PINE  SNAKE. 
Whitish  or  reddish,  with  many  dark  blotches  and  spots; 
scales  usually  25;  G.  220  to  230;  L.  40  to  70.    Western, 
E.  toWis 

8.  COLUBER,  Linnaeus.     RACERS. 
>  Scotophis,  B.  &  G. 

1.  C.  guttatus,  L.     SPOTTED  RACER.     Red  brown  with 
a  dorsal  series  of  large,  red,  dark -edged  blotches;  belly 
checkered  with  black;  scales  27;  G.  210  to  230;  L.  50. 
Virginia  and  S. 

2.  C.  obsoletus,  Say.   PILOT  SNAKE.    RACER.    Lustrous 
black,  some  scales  white -edged;   vertical  plate  longer 
than  broad;  scales  27;  G.  235;  L.  50  to  75.     Mass,  to 
Ills,  and  Texas;    one  of  our  largest  snakes.     (C.  alle- 
yhaniensiS)  Holbr.) 


COLUBBIDJB. — LXXV.  179 

3.  C.  vulpinus,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope.     Fox  SNAKE.     Light 
brown,  with  quadrate,  chocolate-colored  blotches;  verti- 
cal plate  broader  than  long;    scales  25;  G.  200  to  210; 
L.  60.     Mass,  to  Kansas  and  Northward. 

4.  C.  emoryi,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope.    EMORY'S  RACER.    Ashy 
gray    with   transverse    brown   blotches;    vertical    plate 
elongated;  6  or  8  median  rows  of  scales  only  carinated; 
scales  29;  G.  210  to  220;  L.  40  to  50.     Ills,  to  Kansas 
and  Texas. 

9.     CYCLOPHiS,    Giinther.      SUMMER   SNAKES. 

Leptophis,  B.  &  G. 

1.  C.  CBstivus,  (L.)  Giinther.  SUMMER  GREEN  SNAKE. 
Head  conical,  neck  very  small;  bright  clear  green,  yel- 
lowish below;  scales  17;  G.  150  to  160;  L.  30.  Southern, 
N.  to  N.  J.  and  Ills.,  abundant  in  the  mountains;  a  most 
exquisite  little  creature. 

10.  LIOPELTIS,  Fitzinger.  GREEN  SNAKES. 
1.  L.  vernalis,  (DeKay)  Jan.  GREEN  SNAKE.  GRASS 
SNAKE.  SPRING  SNAKE.  Head  elongate,  neck  slender; 
eyes  very  large;  uniform  deep  green  (bluish  in  spirits), 
yellowish  below;  scales  15;  G.  130  to  140;  L.  20.  E. 
U.  S.,  chiefly  northerly;  a  beautiful  species. 

//.  Dl ADO  PHIS,  Baird  and  Girard.     RING -NECKED 

SNAKES. 

<  Ablabes,  D.  &  B. 

1.  D.  punciatus,  (L.)  B.  &  G.  RING -NECKED  SNAKE. 
Head  depressed;  eye  rather  large;  blue-black  above, 
bright  pale  orange  below  (yellowish  in  spirits);  each 
plate  usually  with  a  black  spot;  yellowish  occipital  ring 
conspicuous;  scales  15;  G.  140  to  160;  L.  15.  Whole 
U.S. 


180  REPTILES. 

Var.  amabilis,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope,  is  slender,  with  180  or 
more  gastrosteges;  below  darker  and  more  spotted. 
Western,  E.  to  Ohio. 

2.  D.  arnyi,  Kenn.  ARNY'S  RING -NECKED  SNAKE. 
Lead  black;  belly  spotted  and  mottled  with  black; 
occipital  ring  narrow,  scales  17.  Ills,  to  Kansas. 

12.  OPH/BOLUS,  Baird  and  Girard.     KING  SNAKES. 

<  Coronella,  Laurenti. 

<  LampropeltiSy  Auct. 

1.  0.  geiulus,  (L.)  B.  &  G.    CHAIN  SNAKE.    THUNDER 
SNAKE.     Black  with  narrow  yellowish  lines  forking  on 
the  flanks,  each  fork  embracing  a  large  black  spot;  belly 
checkered;  scales  21;  G.  210  to  225;    L.  50.     Maryland 
to  La.,  E.  of  the  mountains;  variable;  represented  west- 
ward by 

Var.  sayi,  (Holbr.)  Cope.  KING  SNAKE.  Lustrous 
black,  many  scales  with  a  whitish  spot  in  the  center. 
Alleghany  to  Rocky  Mts.,  abundant,  N.  to  Ills.;  a  hand- 
some species. 

2.  0.  doliatus,  (L.)  B.  &  G.  RED  SNAKE.  CORN  SNAKE, 
etc.     Red  with  twenty  to  twenty -five  pairs  of  black 
rings,   each  set  enclosing  a  yellowish  one;    head  red; 
scales  21;    G.  180  to  210;    L.  30  to  50.     Md.  to  Kansas 
and  S.;    exceedingly  variable,  running  by  degrees  into 
the    following    variety,   extremes   of    which   bear    little 
resemblance  to  the  typical  doliatus. 

Var.  triangulus,  (Boie  )  Cope.  MILK  SNAKE.  HOUSE 
SNAKE.  SPOTTED  ADDER.  Grayish,  with  three  series  of 
brown,  rounded  blotches  bordered  with  black,  about  fifty 
of  them  in  the  dorsal  row;  an  arrow-shaped  occipital 


COLTJBRID^E. — LXXV.  181 

spot;  scales,  etc.,  as  in  preceding.  Va.  to  Iowa,  and 
northward;  very  common.  [Coronella  eximia,  (DeKay) 
Jan.] 

3.  0.  ca///'gaster,  (Say  )  Cope.  KENNICOTT'S  CHAIN 
SNAKE.  Light  olive  gray,  with  about  sixty  quadrate, 
chestnut  colored,  emarginate  blotches  on  back  and  two 
rows  of  smaller  ones  on  each  side;  scales  in  25  rows. 
Ills,  to  Kansas.  (0.  evansi,  Kenn.) 

13.  OSCEOLA,  Baird  and  Girard.     SCARLET  SNAKES. 

1.  0.  elapsoidea,  (Holbr.)  B.  &  G.  SCARLET  SNAKE. 
Brilliant  red,  with  about  fifteen  pairs  of  jet  black  rings 
on  body  and  three  on  tail,  each  pair  enclosing  a  white 
ring;  the  black  rings  tapering  towards  the  sides,  the 
white  ones  spreading;  resembles  closely  0.  doliatus\ 
scales  19;  G.  175  to  180;  L.  20.  Va.  to  Fla. 

14.  FARAHCIA,  Gray.    HORN  SNAKES. 

<   Calopisma,  D.  &  B. 
1.  F.  abacura,  (Holb.)  B.  &  G.     RED-BELLIED  HORN 

SNAKE.  Blue-black  with  red  lateral  spots;  eyes  small; 
scales  19;  G.  175;  L.  36.  Southern,  N.  to  Ills.  (Nel- 
son.) 

15.  ABASTOR,  Gray.     RED-SIDED  SNAKES. 

1.  A.  erythrogrammus,  (Daudin)  Gray.  RED- LINED 
SNAKE.  Blue-black;  sides  with  three  red  lines;  eyes 
very  large;  nostrils  in  the  middle  of  nasal  plate;  scales 
19;  G.  180;  L.  25.  Southern,  N.  to  Ills.  (Nelson.) 

16.  HALDEA,  Baird  &  Girard.     BROWN  SNAKES. 

=  Conocephatus,  D.  &  B. 
1.  H.  str/afu/a,  (L.)  B.  &  G.     BROWN  SNAKE.     Head 


182  REPTILES. 

elongated,  on  a  small  neck;    reddish  gray,  salmon  red 
beneath;  scales  17;  G.  125  to  130;  L.  10.     Va.  to  Texas. 

17.  VIRGINIA,  Baird  and  Girard.     BROWN  SNAKES. 

1.  V.  vale  rice,  B.  &  G.     VALERIA   BLANEY'S  SNAKE. 
Head  elliptical;    body  slender;    brownish  with  minute 
black  dots,  often  in  two  rows;  yellowish  beneath;  scales 
15;  G.  120  to  130;  L.  12.     Md.  to  Ills,  and  S. 

2.  V.  elegansr  Kenn.      KENNICOTT'S  BROWN  SNAKE. 
Scales  much  narrower;  uniform  olivaceous  above;  yel- 
lowish beneath;  scales  17.     S.  Ills,  to  Ark. 

18.  CARPHOPHIOPS,  Gervais.     WORM  SNAKES. 
=  Celuta,  B.  &  G. 

1.  C.  amcenus,  (Say)  Cope.    GROUND  SNAKE.    Glossy 
chestnut   brown;    belly   salmon -red;    head    very   small; 
vertical  plate  broad;    nasal  plate  large,  pierced  by  the 
nostril;  scales  13;  G.  120  to  130;  L.  12.      Mass,  to  Ills, 
and  S. 

2.  C.    Helen®,   (Kenn.)   Cope.      HELEN   TENNISON'S 
SNAKE.     Lustrous  chestnut -brown,  flesh  color  beneath; 
snout  short  and  narrow;  a  single  pair  of  frontal  plates; 
scales  13.     S.  Ills,  to  Miss. 

3.  C.  vermis,  (Kenn.)  Cope.  WORM  SNAKE.    Purplish- 
black,   two  pairs  of   frontals,  as  in  C.  amcenus;    belly 
flesh  color,  color  extending  on  sides;  scales  13;    larger 
than  the  others.     Missouri  to  Kansas. 

FAMILY  LXXV.  (b.)  —  ELAPID^E, 

(The  Harlequin  Snakes.) 

Venomous  snakes,  provided  with  two  or  more  perman- 
ently erect,  grooved  fangs  in  the  upper  jaw,  and  usually 
a  series  of  smaller  teeth  behind  them;  scales  not  carin- 
ated;  head  usually  quadrangular,  with  flat  crown  and 


CKOTALHXE. — LXXVI.  183 

short  muzzle;  no  loral  plate.  Genera  15;  species  about 
50,  chiefly  East  Indian,  a  few  inhabiting  the  warmer 
parts  of  America. 

*  Anal  plate  entire ;  urosteges  two  rowed ;  scales  in  15  rows. 

ELAPS,  1. 

/.  ELAPS,  Schneider.  HARLEQUIN  SNAKES. 
1.  E.  fulvius,  (L.)  Cuv.  BEAD  SNAKE.  Jet  black, 
with  about  17  broad  crimson  rings,  each  bordered  with 
yellow,  and  spotted  below  with  black;  a  yellow  occipital 
band;  tail  with  yellow  rings;  L.  30;  G.  200  to  215;  U. 
32.  Va.  to  Ark.  and  S.  A  beautiful  snake,  mild  in  dis- 
position and  apparently  harmless,  although  provided  with 
venom-fangs.  Resembles  Osceola  and  Ophibolus. 

FAMILY  LXXVI.  — CROTALID^E. 

(The  Crotalid  Snakes.) 

Upper  jaw  destitute  of  solid  teeth,  but  provided 
with  an  erectile,  grooved  poison-fang  on  each  side  in 
front;  a  deep  pit  between  eye  and  nostril.  Tail  often 
provided  with  a  rattle,  composed  of  horny  rings  of  modi- 
fied epidermis.  Urosteges  generally  undivided,  at  least 
anteriorly.  Scales  carinated  in  all  our  species.  Species 
50,  more  or  less,  all  American,  and  renowned  for  the 
deadliness  of  their  venom. 

*  Tail  with  a  rattle. 

f  Top  of  head  covered  with  small,  scale-like  plates,  larger  ones 
in  front;  size  large;  rattle  large.  .      CKOTALUS,  1. 

ft  Top  of  head  with  9  large  plates;  size  small;  rattle  small. 

CAUDISONA,  2. 
**  Tail  without  a  rattle ;  general  color  chestnut,  variegated. 

ANCISTRODON,  3. 

/.  CROTALUS,  Linnaeus.     RATTLESNAKES. 
1.  C.  horridus,  L.     BANDED  OR  NORTHERN  RATTLE- 
SNAKE.   Sulphur  brown  of  various  shades,  with  two  rows 


184  REPTILES. 

of  confluent,  brown,  lozenge  -  shaped  spots;  tail  black; 
a  light  loral  line  with  a  dark  patch  beneath;  scales  23  to 
25;  G.  165  to  170;  L.  40  to  60.  U.  S.,  chiefly  eastward 
and  southward,  in  rocky  places;  rapidly  becoming  ex- 
tinct; several  other  species  occur  southwestward.  ((7. 
durissus,  Auct.) 

2.  CAUDISONA,  Laurenti.    MASSASSAUGAS. 

=  Crotalophorus,  Gray. 

1.  C.  tergemina,  (Say )  Cope.  MASSASSAUGA.  PRAIRIE 
RATTLESNAKE.  Brown  or  blackish  with  about  seven 
series  of  deep  chestnut  blotches,  sometimes  entirely 
black;  scales  25;  G.  140  to  150;  L.  30.  Prairie  region, 
E.  to  the  Alleghanies;  abundant  in  grassy  fields  where 
not  exterminated. 

3.  ANCISTRODON,  Beauvais.    COPPERHEADS, 
>  Toxicophis,  Troost. 
<  Trigonocephalus,  Holbr.,  etc. 

1.  A.  contortr/jf,  (L.)  B.  &  G.      COPPERHEAD.     Hazel 

brown;  top  of  head  bright  coppery,  back  with  a  series 
of  fifteen  to  twenty-five  dark  blotches  having  something 
the  form  of  an  inverted  Y;  yellowish  below  with  dark 
blotches;  scales  23;  G.  150  to  160;  L.  35  to  40.  E.  U.  S., 
chiefly  southerly. 

2.  A.  airofuscus,  (Troost)  B.  &  G.     HIGHLAND  MOC- 
CASIN.    COTTONMOUTH.    Dusky  above,  with  smoky  gray 
blotches;  tail  black;   belly  white,  blotched  with   black 
and  minutely  punctate;  upper  lip  white;  scales  25;  G. 
130  to  140;  L.  25.     Mts.  of  Tenn.  and  N.  C.  and  South. 

3.  A,  piscivorus,  (Holbr.)  Cope.     WATER  MOCCASIN. 
Greenish  brown  with  dark  vertical  bars;  scales  25;  G. 
140;    L.  30.     Aquatic;    southern,  probably  not  in  our 
limits. 


BATBACHTANS.  185 


o— 13atrarf)ia. 

(The  Batrachians.) 

Cold-blooded  Vertebrates,  allied  to  the  fishes,  but 
differing  in  several  respects,  notably  in  the  absence  of 
rayed  fins,  the  limbs  being  usually  developed  and  func- 
tional, with  the  skeletal  elements  of  the  limbs  of 
Reptiles;  toes  usually  without  claws. 

The  Batrachians  undergo  a  more  or  less  complete 
metamorphosis;  the  young  ("tadpoles")  being  aquatic 
and  fish -like,  breathing  by  means  of  external  gills  or 
branchiae;  later  in  life,  lungs  are  developed  and  (except- 
ing in  Proteida)  the  gills  disappear.  Skin  naked  and 
moist  (rarely  having  imbedded  scales)  and  used  to  some 
extent  as  an  organ  of  respiration.  Heart  with  two 
auricles  and  a  single  ventricle. 

Reproduction  by  means  of  eggs  which  are  of  com- 
paratively small  size,  without  hard  shell,  developed  in 
water  or  in  moist  situations. 

The  Batrachians  differ  more  from  the  Fishes  in 
appearance  than  in  reality,  and  they  are  sometimes 
combined  into  one  group  (Ichthyopsida),  the  Birds  and 
Reptiles  constituting  another  (Sauropsida). 

ORDERS  OF  BATRACHIA. 

*  Body  short,  depressed ;  tail  wanting  in  the  adult;  four  dereloped 

limbs,  ihe  posterior  being  much  enlarged.      .      ANURA,  "W. 

**  Body  lengthened,  with  a  distinct  tail ;  hind  limbs  if  present 

not  specially  elongated. 

f  With  no  external  gills  or  branchiae  when  adult ;    eyelids 
present URODELA,  X. 


186  BATRACHIANS. 

ft  External  branchiae  and  gill  clefts  persistent  through  life ;  no 
eyelids PKOTEIDA,  Y. 

W.    FAMILIES  OF  ANURA. 

*  Fingers  and  toes  tapering  or  cylindrical,  not  dilated  into  a  disk 

at  their  tips. 

f  Upper  jaw  with  teeth;  toes  completely  webbed. 
a.  No  spur  at  the  heel ;  fingers  often  webbed ;  chiefly  aquatic. 

RANID^E,  77. 

aa.  One  of  the  bones  of  the  heel  forming  a  sharp,  flat-edged 
spur ;  fingers  scarcely  webbed ;  chiefly  terrestrial. 

SCAPHIOPID^,  78. 
ft  Jaws  toothless ;  toes  webbed ;  skin  more  or  less  warty ;  ter- 

restrial BUFONID/E,  80. 

**  Fingers  and  toes  dilated  at  their  tips,  forming  a  viscous  disk ; 
arboreal HYLID.E,  79. 

X.    FAMILIES  OF  URODELA. 

*  No  spiracles  or  openings  in  the  sides  of  the  neck  in  the  adult. 

*  Sides  (in  our  species)  with  a  row  of  round  red  or  yellowish  spots 
which  are  bordered  with  black  (these  very  rarely  obsolete) ; 
belly  dotted  with  black ;  tarsus  and  carpus  ossified ;  verte- 
brae opisthoccelian  (not  biconcave).        PLEURODELDXE,  81. 
ft  Spots,  if  any,  not  as  above. 
\  Carpus  and  tarsus  cartilaginous ;  tongue  much  smaller  and 

more  extensi\7ely  free  than  in  the  next. 
a.  Vertebrae  concave  behind  only  (opisthocceliau.) 

DESMOGNATHID^E,  82. 
aa.  Vertebras  biconcave  (ainphiccelian.) 

PLETHODONTID^E,  83. 

\\  Carpus  and  tarsus  ossified ;  vertebrae  amphicoelian;  tongue 
large,  thick,  papillose,  attached  by  its  base,  with  a  narrow 
free  margin ;  salamanders  usually  of  large  size  and  dark 

colors AMBLYSTOMID^E,  84. 

**  "With  a  spiracle  or  rounded  opening  in  each  side  of  the  neck  : 

size  large. 

6.  Limbs  well  developed ;  toes  4-5.       .      .      MENOPOMID^E,  85. 
bb.  Limbs  rudimentary ;  toes  2-2  or  3-3.     .     AMPHIUMID^E,  86. 


RANID^B. — LXXVH.  187 

Y.    FAMILIES  OF  PROTEIDA. 

*  Hind  legs  present;  both  jaws  with  teeth;  form  salamander-like. 

PROTEIDA,  87. 
**  Hind  legs  wanting;  upper  jaw  toothless;  form  eel-like. 

88. 


ORDEE  W. 

(The  Tailless  Batrachians.) 

Body  nearly  or  quite  naked,  short  and  broad;  all  four 
limbs  present;  tail  wanting  in  the  adult;  young  (tadpole) 
fish-like,  with  broad  head,  external  branchiae,  a  long  tail, 
no  limbs  and  no  teeth;  the  intestinal  canal  very  long, 
adapted  for  a  vegetable  diet;  from  this  form  by  degrees 
it  develops  into  the  adult  animal  which  is  always  more 
or  less  Frog-like. 

FAMILY  LXXVIL  —  RANIDJE. 

(TJie  Frogs.) 

Tailless  Batrachians  with  the  tongue  adherent  in  front 
and  more  or  less  free  behind;  fingers  four,  toes  five, 
both  commonly  webbed;  ear  well  developed,  jaws  and 
usually  vomer,  with  teeth;  chiefly  aquatic.  Genera 
fourteen,  species  about  fifty;  very  abundant  in  tropical 
America. 

*  Vomerine  teeth  present ;  no  finger  opposed  to  the  others ;  tongue 

nicked  "behind ;  toes  full-webbed.  .        .        RAXA,  1. 

/.   RAHA,   Linnaeus.     FROGS. 

*  Back  with  large  distinct  spots  arranged  in  more  or  less  regular 

rows ;  back  with  two  conspicuous  yellowish  folds. 

1.  R.  halecina,  Kalm.  LEOPARD  FROG.  COMMON 
FROG.  General  color  greenish,  often  bright,  sometimes 
brassy,  with  many  pale-edged  dark  spots  which  lie  in 
two  irregular  rows  on  back;  usually  two  large  spots 


188  BATRACHIANS. 

between  eyes;  legs  barred  above;  belly  pearly  or  yel- 
lowish, each  side  of  back  with  a  well-marked  fold.  N. 
Am.,  the  commonest  species. 

2.  R.  palustris,  Le  Conte.   PICKEREL  FKOG.   Brownish 
with  the  spots  square,  in  four  rows;  young  golden  green; 
body  with  two  glandular  folds  on  each  side;  slender.    E. 
U.S. 

**  Back  with  small  dark  spots  or  none. 

3.  R,  clamiians,   Merrem.      GREEN   FROG.      SPRING 
FROG.     Bright  green,  darker  on  the  flanks,  every  where 
spotted   with   blackish;    color  sometimes  rather  brown 
than  green;  white  below;  glandular  folds  conspicuous; 
size  moderate.     U.  S.,  E.  of  the  mountains.     (JR.  horico- 
nensis,  Holbr.     R.  fontinalis,  LeC.) 

4.  R.  catesbiana,  Shaw.     BULL  FROG.     Greenish,  of 
varying  shades,  with  numerous  small,  indistinct  darker 
spots,  head  usually  of  a  very  bright  pale  green;  glandu- 
lar folds  little  marked;  very  large,  a  foot  or  more  long 
when  adult.     E.  U.  S.,  common;  well  noted  for  its  rich 
bass  notes.     (It.  pipiens,  Auct.,  not  of  L.) 

5.  R.  temporaria,  (L.)  var.   sylvatica,    (Le  C.)    Gthr. 
WOOD  FROG.     Color  reddish  brown;  a  dark  band  on  each 
side  of  the  head  through  eye  and  ear;  quite  small.  E.  U.  S. 
common;   scarcely  aquatic.       (R.  cantabrigensis,  Baird, 
the  Cambridge  Frog,  from  E.  Mass.,  N.  and  W.  is  another 
variety  of  this  European  species.)     (See  Addenda.) 

FAMILY  LXXYIIL  — SCAPHIOPID^E. 

(The  Spade  Foots.) 

Terrestrial  frogs  having  the  heel  provided  with  a  more 

or  less  developed  spur.     Genera  three;    species  ten  or 

more.     In  Europe,  America,  and  Australia. 

*  Toes  completely  webbed ;    forehead  and  crown  bony,  rough  ; 

skin  slightly  tuberculate,  .         ,        SCAPHIOPUS,  1. 


HYLIIXE. — LXXIX.  189 

/.  SCAPHIOPUS,  Holbrook.     SPADE  FOOTS. 

1.   S.   holbrookii,  (Harlan)    Baird.      SOLITARY   SPADE 

FOOT.     Heel  with  a  sharp -edged  spur;  olive  brown,  a 

pale  yellow  streak  on  each  side.      E.   U.   S.,  not  very 

common;  burrows  in  the  ground.    (8.  solitarius,  Holbr.) 

FAMILY  LXXIX.  —  HYLID^). 

(TTie  Tree  Frogs.) 

Arboreal  frogs  of  small  size,  having  the  fingers  and 
toes  more  or  less  dilated  into  disks  at  their  tips;  ear  well 
developed.  Genera  ten;  species  sixty;  found  in  most 
parts  of  the  world;  noted  for  their  shrill  voices. 

*  Disks  round,  conspicuous ;    fingers  somewhat  webbed ;    skin 

roughened HYIA,  1. 

**  Disks  small ;  fingers  not  webbed, 
f  Toes  webbed  only  at  base  or  not  at  all ;  tympanum  distinct. 

CHOROPHILUS,  2. 
ft  Toes  broadly  webbed ;  tympanum  indistinct.      .      ACRIS,  3. 

/.  HYLA,  Laurenti.     TREE  FROGS. 

1.  H.    versicolor,    LeConte.      COMMON   TREE    TOAD. 
Green,  gray  or  brown,  with  irregular  dark  spots;  below 
yellow  or  white ;  fingers  one  -  third  webbed ;  exceedingly 
variable.     E.  U.  S.,  very  abundant. 

2.  H.  pickeringii,  Holbrook.     PICKERING'S  TREE  TOAD. 
Yellowish  brown  with  dusky  rhomboidal  spots  and  lines 
sometimes  arranged  in  the  form  of  a  cross.     E.  U.  S. 

3.  //.    andersonii,    Baird.      ANDERSON'S  TREE  TOAD. 
Deep  pea-green;    sides  with  irregular  yellow  spots;    a 
purplish  band  on  sides  of  head.     N.  J.  to  S.  C.,  rare 

2.  CHOROPHILUS,  Baird.     LITTLE  TREE  FROGS. 
1.  C.  tr/ser/atus,  (Wied.)  Baird.    TREE  FROG.  E.  U.  S. 


190  BATKACHIANS. 

3.  ACRIS,  Dumeril  and  Bibron.  CRICKET  FROGS. 
1.  A.  gryllus,  (Le  C.)  var.  crepitans,  (Baird)  Cope. 
CRICKET  FROG.  Brownish  above;  middle  of  back  and 
head  bright  green;  a  dark  triangle  between  the  eyes; 
sides  with  three  oblique  blotches;  a  white  line  from  eye 
to  ear.  E.  U.  S.  (the  typical  yryllut  southward.) 

FAMILY  LXXX.  —  BUFONID.E. 

( The  Toads.} 

Maxillaries  toothless;  toes  webbed,  not  dilated  at  their 
tips;  ear  well  developed;  skin  usually  warty.  Genera 
three,  species  thirty;  in  every  part  of  the  world  except 
Australia.  Most  of  them  belong  to  the  familiar  genus, 
Bufo. 

1.  BUFO,   Laurenti.     TOADS. 

1.  B.  /ent/ginosus,  Shaw.  AMERICAN  TOAD.  Brown- 
ish olive  with  a  yellowish  vertebral  line  and  some 
brownish  spots;  adults  very  warty;  young  nearly  smooth. 
U.  S.,  very  common,  variable;  the  northern  form  is  var. 
americanus  (Le  C.)  Cope. 


OEDEE  X.-URODELA. 

(The  Salamanders.} 

Body  naked,  elongated,  subcylindrical ;  four  limbs 
developed;  tail  persistent,  usually  much  longer  than 
broad,  terete  or  compressed;  no  external  branchiae  when 
adult. 

FAMILY   LXXXI.  —  PLEURODELID^L 

(The  Newts.} 

Vertebrae  concave  behind  only  (opisthoccelian) ;  carpus 
and  tarsus  ossified.  I  am  unable  to  characterize  this 
family  further. 


DESMOGXATHID^:. — LXXXII.  191 

*  Tongue  small,  thick,  oval,  attached  by  nearly  its  whole  inferior 
surface ;  toes  4-5,  outer  and  interior  on  hind  foot  rudimentary; 
our  species  spotted DIEMYCTYLUS,  1. 

/.  DIEMYCTYLUS,  Rafmesque.     SPOTTED  NEWTS. 
>  Notophthalmm,  Raf. 

1.  D.    viridescens,   Raf.      SPOTTED  TKITOX.      NEWT. 
EVET.      EFT.      Above   olive  green  of   varying  shades; 
lemon  yellow  below;  each   side  with  a  row  of  several 
rather  large  vermillion  spots,  each  surrounded  by  a  black 
ring;    back  with  a  pale   streak;    belly,  etc.,  with  small 
black  dots.    E.  U.  S.,  abundant  E.  of  the  Alleganies;  in 
ponds  and  brooks. 

2.  D.  miniatuSf   Raf.     RED  EFT.     RED  EVET.     Color 
vermillion  red  of  varying  shade,  paler  or  yellowish  below ; 
markings  precisely  as  in  the  foregoing;  same  range,  but 
found  away  from  water,  under  stones,  etc.;  comes  out 
after  rain.     Perhaps  a  variety  or  state  of  the  preceding, 
at  least  Prof.  Cope  so  considers  it. 

FAMILY  LXXXII.—  DESMOGNATHID^E. 

(The  Desmognatlis.) 

Vertebrae  opisthoccelian ;  carpus  and  tarsus  cartilagin- 
ous; no  crests  or  other  dermal  appendages  developed  at 
the  breeding  season.  Genus  one;  species  three;  all  of 
the  Eastern  U.  S.  Tn  external  characters,  this  family  is 
scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  next,  but  the  skeletal 
distinctions  are  quite  numerous.  They  are,  however,  too 
technical  for  our  present  purpose.  "  The  examination  of 
the  skeleton  of  species  of  this  genus  utterly  changes  the 
impressions  produced  by  a  consideration  of  the  external 
characters.  It  may  be  stated  as  characteristic  of  the 
Batrachia  in  general,  that  their  affinities  can  not  be  deter- 
mined without  study  of  the  skeleton."  Cope.  Proc. 
Phil.  Ac.  Nat.  Sc.  1869,  113. 


1 
192  BATRACHIANS. 

/.  DESMOGNATHUS,  Baird.     DUSKY  SALAMANDERS. 

1.  D.    ochrophcea,    Cope.       YELLOW     DESMOGNATH. 
Brownish  yellow  with  a  brown  shade  on  each  side;    a 
yellowish  dorsal  band;    back  with   a   few  spots;    belly 
unspotted;    tail  rounded;    $  with  lower   jaw  toothless 
behind;    costal  folds   14;    size   small;    scarcely  aquatic. 
Allegany  Mountains,  N.  Y.,  southward. 

2.  D.    fusca,    (Raf.)    Baird.       DUSKY    SALAMANDER. 
Brown  above,   with   gray  or  purplish  spots   or  shades, 
becoming   blackish    with    age;     marbled    below;    eyes 
prominent;  tail  compressed  and  keeled,  as  long  as  head 
and  body;    costal  folds   14;    larger.     Mass,  to  Ohio  and 
S.;  one  of  the  commonest  species  in  springs  and  brooks; 
remarkable  for  its  activity  and  strength. 

3.  D.   nigra,   (Green)   Baird.      BLACK   SALAMANDER. 
Uniform  black;    tips  of  tail,  jaws,  etc.,  brown;  tail  com- 
pressed and  finned;    costal  folds  12.      Penn.,  S.  in  the 
mountain  springs;  the  largest  Eastern  Salamander. 

FAMILY  LXXXIIL—  PLETHODONTIDJE. 

(The  American  Salamanders.) 

Vertebrae  amphicoelian ;  carpus  and  tarsus  cartilagin- 
ous. Various  other  distinctive  characters  are  given  by 
Prof.  Cope,  but  we  omit  them  here  as  not  available  for 
our  present  purpose.  Genera  eleven;  species  thirty; 
nearly  all  North  American. 

*  The  tongue  attached  by  a  band  running  from  its  central  or 

posterior  pedicel  to  the  anterior  margin ;  premaxillaries  2 . 
f  Toes  4r-4,  small,  ashy  above,  spotted  below. 

HEMIDACTYLIUM,  1. 

ft  Toes  4-5 ;  colors  dark ;  spotted  or  banded.      PLETHODON,  2. 
**  Tongue  free  all  around,  attached  by  its  central  pedicel  only; 
toes  4-5,  all  free. 


PLETHODONTrDuE. — LXXXILT.  193 

\  Premaxillaries  united ;  color  yellow  or  red,  spotted  or  striped. 

SPELEBPES,  3. 

\\  Premaxillaries  2 ;  color  purplish  gray  or  salmon  color,  un- 
spotted  GYRDfOPHILUS,  4. 

/.   HEMIDACTYLIUM,  Tschudi.     FOUR- TOED  SALA- 
MANDERS. 

1.  H.  scutatum,  (Schl.)  Tsch.  FOUR- TOED  SALAMAN- 
DER. Ashy  brown  above;  snout  yellow;  silvery  below, 
with  dots  like  ink  spots;  tail  slender,  nearly  twice  the 
length  of  the  body;  head  blunt.  R.  I.  to  Ills.,  and  S. 
(S.  melanosticta,  Gibbes.) 

2.  PLETHODON,  Tschudi.     PLETHODONTS. 

1.  P.    eryihronotus,    (Green)    Baird.      RED -BACKED 
SALAMANDER.      Plumbeous  above,  often  with  a  broad 
red  dorsal  band;  belly  marbled;  body  very  slender;  tail 
cylindric;  inner  toes  rudimentary;  costal  folds  16  to  19. 
E.  U.  S.,  common.     [P.  cinereus,  (Green)  Cope,  variety 
without  red  dorsal  band.] 

2.  P.    g/ut/'nosus,  (Green)  Baird.      VISCID    SALAMAN- 
DER.     Black,   usually  with  gray   lateral    blotches   and 
smaller  dorsal  spots;  stout;  tail  rounded;  inner  toes  well 
developed.      E.  U.   S.,  chiefly  terrestrial,  like  the  pre- 
ceding. 

3.  SPELERPES,  Rafinesque.     CAVE  SALAMANDERS. 

1.  S.  bilineatus,  (Green)  Baird.     Two  -  STRIPED  SALA- 
MANDER.    Yellow  with  a  dark  line  along  each  side  of 
the  back;  belly  unspotted;  tail  not  keeled;  costal  folds 
14;  small.     Maine  to  Wis.  and  S. 

2.  S.  longicaudus,  (Green)  Baird.   CAVE  SALAMANDER. 
Lemon  yellow;    sides  with  many  small  black  spots;    a 
median  dorsal  series;  belly  spotless;    tail  keeled,  very 

9 


194  BATEACHIANS. 

long,  spotted  or  barred  with  black;  costal  folds  13;  large. 
Maine  to  Minn,  and  S.,  abounding  in  the  caves  of  Ky. 
and  Ind. 

3.  S.  ruber,  (Daudin)  Gray.     RED  TRITON.     Vermil- 
ion red,  with  black  or  brown  spots;   head  wide;  costal 
folds  15  or  16;  large;  variable.     Maine  to  Nebraska  and 
S.     (Pseudotriton,  Baird.) 

4.  GYRINOPHILUS,  Cope.     PURPLE  SALAMANDERS. 

1.  G.  porphyriticus,  (Green)  Cope.  PURPLE  SALA- 
MANDER. Uniform  purplish  gray  above;  head  broad; 
tail  rounded  at  base,  not  finned;  large;  aquatic.  Alle- 
gany  Mountains,  N.  E.  and  S.  \Spelerpes  salmonea  (Stor.) 
Gray.]  "  The  only  one  of  our  Eastern  Salamanders 
which  attempts  self  defense.  It  snaps  fiercely  but  harm- 
lessly and  throws  its  body  into  contortions  in  terror." 
(Cope.) 

FAMILY  LXXXIV.— AMBLYSTOMID^E. 

(The  Amblystomas.) 

Vertebrae  amphicoelian ;  carpus  and  tarsus  ossified; 
digits  4-5,  without  webbing;  tongue  thick;  size  gener- 
ally large  and  color  dark.  Genus  one,  species  nineteen; 
probably  all  American,  and  very  abundant  in  the  South- 
ern and  Western  parts  of  the  U.  S.  The  larvae  which 
reach  a  large  size,  and  even  breed  before  the  gills  are 
absorbed,  have  long  been  considered  as  forming  a  separ- 
ate genus,  Siredon,  supposed  to  be  allied  to  Necturus. 

1.  AMBLYSTOMA,Tschudi.     BIG  SALAMANDERS. 

*  Folds  of  tongue  radiating  from  behind ;   costal  folds  10  to  12 ; 

fourth  toe  with  4  phalanges. 
f  Costal  grooves  10. 
1.  A.  talpoideum,  (Holbr.)  Gray.     MOLE  SALAMANDER. 


AMBLYSTOMLDJE. — LXXXIV.  195 

Blackish  brown,  gray-speckled;    tail  short,  compressed, 
•?;}  in  length;    head  very  broad;    body  short  and  squat. 
Southern,  N.  to  S.  Ills, 
ft  Costal  grooves  11. 
\  Sole  with  one  indistinct  tubercle,  or  none. 

2.  A.  opacum,  (Gravenhorst)  Baird.     OPAQUE   SALA- 
MANDER.    Black  above,  with  bluish  gray  bars;  belly  dark 
blue;  no  dorsal  furrow,  no  enlarged  pores  on  the  head; 
tail  2£  in  total  length;  body  stout.     Penn.  to  Wis.  and  S. 
A  handsome  species.     (/S.  fastiata,  Green.) 

3.  A.  punctatum,  (L.)  Baird.     LARGE  SPOTTED  SALA- 
MANDER,    Black  above  with  a  series  of  round  yellow 
spots  on  each  side  of  the  back;  body  broad,  depressed 
and  swollen;  skin  punctate  with  small  pores,  from  which 
exudes  a  milky  fluid  (Cope)\    two  or  three  clusters  of 
enlarged  pores  on  head;  a  strong  dorsal  groove;  tail  2£ 
in  length;    large.     U.  S.,  E.  of   the  Rocky  Mountains. 
(A.  venenosa  and  submolacea,  Auct.) 

4.  A.   conspersum,  Cope.      SMALLER   SPOTTED  SALA- 
MANDER.    Lead  colored,  with  one  or  two  series  of  small 
yellow  spots  along  sides;  no  dorsal  groove;  skin  smooth; 
tail  2J  in  length;  small.     Penn.  to  Ga. 

ft  Sole  with  two  distinct  tubercles. 

5.  A.  bicolor,  Hallowell.     TWO-COLORED  SALAMANDER. 
Olive  brown,  yellowish  below,  rising  in  blotches  on  the 
sides;  a  few  large  yellowish  spots  above;  limbs  banded; 
tail  yellow  with  brown  spots.     New  Jersey. 

fff  Costal  grooves  12. 
a.  Large  species ;  sole  with  two  distinct  tubercles. 

6.  A.  tigrinum,  (Green)  Baird.     TIGER  SALAMANDER. 
Chiefly  brown  with  many  yellow  spots,  about  as  large  as 
the  eye;  body  thick  and  strong;  the  head  comparatively 
long  and  narrow;  tail  shorter  than  head  and  body;  color 


196  BATBACHIANS. 

varying  from  uniform  brown  to  yellow,  but  usually 
spotted.  U.  S.,  E.  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  (A. 
ingens,  Hallowell.) 

7.  A.  xiphias,    Cope.      LONG -TAILED    SALAMANDER. 
Yellow-olive  with  brown  reticulating  bands;  head  small, 
blunt;    tail  very  long,  much  longer  than  the  head  and 
body.     Ohio. 

aa.  Small  species ;  sole  with  one  indistinct  tubercle  or  none. 

8.  A.  jeffersonianum,    (Green)    Baird.      JEFFERSON'S 
SALAMANDER.      Olive  brown  or  blackish,  usually  with 
pale  or  bluish  spots,  but  sometimes  uniform  plumbeous. 
Va.  to  Ind.  and  N.,  variable;  several  varieties  are  recog- 
nized by  Prof.  Cope. 

**  Folds  on  tongue  radiating  from  the  median  longitudinal  furrow ; 
costal  folds  12 ;  size  small. 

9.  A.  microstomum,  Cope.      SMALL  -  MOUTHED   SALA- 
MANDER.    Lead  -  colored,  usually  with  gray  shades  and 
specks;    head  small,  short,  broad;    body  slender;    skin 
very  smooth  and  slippery;  lower  jaw  projecting.     Ohio 
to  Kansas  and  S. 

FAMILY  LXXXV.  — MENOPOMID^E. 

(The  Menopomes.) 

Salamanders  of  large  size,  having  the  form  of  Ambly- 
stoma^  but  with  an  orifice  on  each  side  of  neck  persistent 
during  life;  no  external  gills;  legs  well  developed;  toes 
4-5;  aquatic.  Genus  one;  species  two,  Menopoma 
fuscum,  Holbr.,  of  the  head  waters  of  the  Tennessee, 
and  the  following: 

/.  MENOPOMA,  Harlan.     HELLBENDERS. 
1.    M.    alleghaniense,    Harlan.      HELLBENDER.      BIG 
WATER  LIZARD.      Blackish;   length  1£  to  2  feet.     Mis- 
sissippi Valley  to  N.  C.  and  S 


PROTEID.E.— LXXXVH.  197 

FAMILY   LXXXVL  — AMPHIUMID^E. 

(The  Congo  Snakes.) 

Salamanders  of  large  size,  having  the  body  elongated 
almost  serpentiform ;  limbs  rudimentary  with  two  or 
three  toes  each;  a  spiracle  on  each  side  of  neck  as  in  the 
preceding  family;  aquatic.  Genera  two;  the  three-toed 
Murcenopsis  (M.  tridactylus)  and  the  two-toed  Amphi- 
uma.  Species  two,  inhabiting  the  ditches  and  streams 
of  the  warmer  parts  of  the  U.  S. 

/.  AMPHIUMA,  Linnaeus.     Two-ToED  COXGO  SNAKES. 

1.  A.  means,  L.  COXGO  SXAKE.  Dusky;  limbs  very 
small,  each  with  two  toes.  Southern  States,  N.  to  N.  C. 


OEDEE  Y.-PEOTEIDA. 

(The  Proteans.) 

Tailed  Batrachians,  provided  with  bushy  external  gills 
which  are  persistent  during  life;  lungs  more  or  less 
developed  and  functional,  hence  these  animals  are  truly 
amphibious. 

FAMILY  LXXXVIL  — PROTEID^E. 

(The  Mud  Puppies) 

Salamanders  of  medium  or  large  size,  provided  with 
bushy  external  gills,  and  having  the  branchial  clefts 
remaining  open  through  life;  teeth  well  developed. 
Genera  two.  Proteus  inhabitating  caves  in  S.  W. 
Austria  (Carniola),  and  Necturus  of  the  fresh  waters  of 
the  U.  S.  Proteus  is  blind  and  has  the  toes  o-'Z. 
Necturus  has  the  eyes  well  developed,  though  small,  and 
the  toes  4—4. 


198  BATRACHIANS. 

/.  NECTURUS,  Rafinesque.     MUD  PUPPIES. 
=  Menobranchus,  Harlan. 

1.  N.  lateral  is  f  (Say  )  Baird.  MENOBRANCHUS.  MUD 
PUPPY  (North).  WATER  DOG  (South).  DOG  FISH. 
Brown,  more  or  less  spotted;  young  with  traces  of  a 
lateral  band;  dusky  below;  gills  large  and  bushy,  bright 
red,  forming  three  tufts  on  each  side;  head  broad,  de- 
pressed; tail  much  compressed.  E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  north- 
ern and  west  of  the  Alleganies,  especially  abundant  in 
the  Great  Lake  Region;  reaches  a  length  of  eight  inches 
to  two  feet.  (M.  maculatus,  Jiyemalis,  etc.,  of  authors.) 
Another  species.  N.  punctatus,  (Gibbes)  Cope,  occurs  in 
S.  C. 

FAMILY  LXXXVIII.  — SIRENID^E. 
(The  Sirens.) 

Body  elongated,  eel-like;  external  branchiae  persistent; 
no  posterior  limbs,  not  even  a  vestige  of  pelvis;  head 
flattened;  snout  obtuse;  mouth  narrow,  the  lower  jaw 
with  teeth  all  around,  the  upper  toothless;  eye  very 
small.  (Cuvier.)  Genera  two,  species  two, — Pseudo- 
branchus  striatus,  (LeC.)  of  Georgia,  a  small  species 
with  small  gills,  and  the  following: 

/.  SIREN,  Linnagus.     SIRENS. 

1.  S.  lacertina,  L.  GREAT  SIREN.  Reaches  a  length 
of  three  feet.  Southern,  N.  to  N.  C.  and  S.  Ills. 


FISHES.  199 


Otlass  V.— ^ 

(The  Fishes.) 

A  fish  is  a  cold-blooded  vertebrate,  adapted  for  life  in 
water,  having  the  limbs  developed  as  fins,  the  fingers 
and  toes  being  represented  by  cartilaginous  rays  con- 
nected by  membrane  (in  rare  cases  limbs  rudimentary  or 
wanting);  exoskeleton  usually  developed  as  scales  or 
bony  plates  (skin  rarely  naked);  one  or  more  fins  on  the 
median  line  of  the  body,  composed  of  rays  connected 
by  membrane.  Skull  developed,  containing  a  brain  of 
several  differentiated  ganglia;  a  distinct  lower  jaw. 
Heart  with  an  auricle,  ventricle,  and  arterial  bulb; 
respiration  by  means  of  branchiae,  which  consist  (typi- 
cally) "  of  bony  arches  attached  to  the  hyoid  bone,  to 
which  the  filaments  of  the  gills  are  attached,  generally 
in  a  row  upon  each,  and  having  their  surface  covered 
by  a  tissue  of  innumerable  blood  vessels.  The  water 
taken  in  at  the  mouth  passes  among  the  filaments  of  the 
gills  and  escapes  by  the  gill  openings  towards  the  rear; 
in  its  progress  through  the  filaments  of  the  gills  the 
water  imparts  to  these  the  oxygen  of  the  air  which  it 
contains.  The  blood  is  sent  to  the  gills  by  the  heart, 
which  thus  answers  to  the  right  side  of  the  heart  of 
warm-blooded  animals,  and  from  the  gills  it  is  sent  to  an 
arterial  trunk  lying  along  the  under  side  of  the  vertebral 
column,  which  distributes  the  blood  through  the  body  of 
the  fish"  (Cuvier);  branchiae  free,  gill  openings  a  single 
cleft  on  each  side.  In  most  fishes  there  is  a  membran- 
ous air  bladder  immediately  beneath  the  back -bone, 
answering  homologically  to  the  lungs  of  the  higher 


200  FISHES. 

vertebrates;  in  a  few  Ganoids  the  air  bladder  is  cellular, 
and  more  or  less  functional  and  connected  by  a  glottis 
with  the  oesophagus;  in  most  of  the  soft -rayed  Teleo- 
cephali  there  is  a  slender  duct  connecting  the  air  bladder 
with  the  alimentary  canal;  in  the  Acanthopteri  and  others 
this  is  wanting.  Reproduction  by  eggs  of  small  size, 
which  are  fertilized  generally  after  exclusion;  a  few  are 
ovoviviparous. 

As  here  characterized,  the  class  Pisces  includes  the 
Teliosts  and  Ganoids,  of  authors,  and  excludes  the 
Sharks  and  Skates  and  their  allies,  as  well  as  the  Lam- 
preys and  Lancelets,  which  differ  from  the  true  Fishes 
more  than  the  latter  do  from  the  Batrachians. 

The  following  key  includes  not  only  the  families  of 
fresh  water  fishes  described  in  this  work,  but  also  all  of 
the  families  of  Fishes  represented  on  the  Atlantic  Coast 
of  the  U.  S.  The  names  of  those  families  which  are  ex- 
clusively marine  are  printed  in  italics,  and  no  further 
reference  is  made  to  them.  A  student,  therefore,  who 
traces  a  fresh  water  fish  to  any  of  them  will  understand 
that  there  is  an  error  on  his  part  or  mine.  The  key  is, 
of  course,  purely  artificial,  and  does  not,  in  most  cases, 
give  true  family  distinctions,  for  instance: 

With  5  to  9  detached  finlets  behind  dorsal  and  anal ;  dorsals  2 ; 
scales  small  or  none.  .  .  Scombridce,  the  Mackerels. 

does  not  imply  that  all  Scombridce  possess  those  charac- 
ters, nor,  indeed,  that  all  possessing  them  are  ScombriddBj 
but  that  all  fishes  in  the  region  here  covered,  which  show 
those  peculiarities,  are  to  be  referred  to  that  family. 

SUB-CLASS  I.  Tail  homocercal  (caudal  fin  rarely  wanting) ;  optic 
nerves  simply  crossing,  without  chiasma ;  arterial  bulb  simple, 
with  two  opposite  valves  at  its  origin ;  air  bladder,  if  present, 
not  cellular ;  exoskeleton  typically  of  scales,  either  ctenoid  or 
cycloid.  ......  TELEOSTEI,  page  201. 


FISHES.  201 

SUB-CLASS  II.  Tail  heterocercal ;  optic  nerves  forming  a  chiasma ; 
arterial  bulb  with  several  rows  of  valves ;  air  bladder  fre- 
quently cellular  and  lung-like ;  exoskeleton  typically  of  bony 
plates GANOEDEI,  page  212. 

ORDERS  OF  TELEOSTEI. 

Gills  pectinated — of  the  ordinary  sort,  not  tuft-like. 

I.  Maxillaries  normally  developed  and  normally  distinct  from 
each  other ;  gills  not  in  the  axils ;  typical  fishes  (characters 
too  various  to  be  here  summarized).      .     TELEOCEPHALI,  Z. 

II.  With  4  to  8  long  barbels  about  the  mouth,  the  longest  of 

which  is  a  continuation  of  the  incomplete  maxillary; 
subopercle  wanting ;  ventrals  abdominal ;  usually  an  adi- 
pose fin  and  dorsal  and  pectoral  spines;  skin  naked  or 
with  bony  plates ;  chiefly  in  fresh  water. 

NEMATOGNATHI,  AA. 

III.  Maxillaries  rudimentary  or  wanting;    scapular  arch  free 
from-  skull;    body  elongated,  serpentiform,  with  a  long 
dorsal  and  anal,  which  meet  around  the  tail ;   no  ventral 
fins;    scales  small  or  none;    jaws  with   teeth;    chiefly 
marine APODES,  BB. 

IV.  Carpal  bones  elongated,  forming  a  kind  of  arm  which  sup- 

ports the  pectorals,  in  the  axils  of  which  are  the  small  gill 
openings;  ventrals  jugular,  with  4  or  5  soft  rays;  body 
scaleless  or  tuberculate ;  head  very  large ;  marine. 

^/       PEDICULATT,  page  211. 

V.  Intennaxillaries  immovably  united  with  the  maxillaries ; 

skin  rough,  often  covered  with  spines  or  ganoid  plates ; 

ventral  fins  wanting;  marine.       PLECTOGNATHI,  page  212. 

**  Gills  small,  tuft-like,  largest  at  their  free  tips ;  body  covered 

with  bony  plates;   mouth  small,  toothless,  at  the  end  of  the 

long  snout ;  no  ventral  fins ;  marine. 

LOPHOBRANCHH,  page  212. 

Z.    SUB -ORDERS  OF  TELEOCEPHALI. 

I.  Body  flat,  unsymmetrical ;   both  eyes  on  the  upper  or  colored 

side;  ventrals  jugular.       .        .      HETEROSOMATA,  page  208. 

II.  Bones  of  snout  prolonged  into  a  long  tube  which  bears  the 

short  jaws  at  the  end.        .        .       HEMTBRAXCHH,  page  209. 


202  FISHES. 

III.  "With  two  or  more  free  spines  in  place  of  first  dorsal ;  ventrals 
sub-abdominal,  of  a  stout  spine  and  a  small  ray ;  small  fishes 
scaleless  or  with  bony  plates.     .     HEMIBRANCHII,  page  209. 

IV.  Dorsal  fins  two,  distinct,  small,  the  first  of  4  to  7  spines ;  ven- 

trals abdominal;  teeth  feeble  or  wanting;  scales  cycloid, 
silvery PERCESOCES,  page  208. 

V.  With  the  first  rays  of  the  dorsal,  or  the  whole  first  dorsal,  of 

simple  —  usually  stiff  spines;  first  ray  of  ventral  usually 
inarticulate  (spinous  dorsal  forming  a  hump  in  Cyclopterus ; 
a  lamellated  sucking  disk  in  Echeneis,  etc.,  wanting  altogether 
in  Aspidophoroides  and  Gobiesox).  ACANTHOPTERI,  page  203. 

VI.  Fin  rays  soft  and  articulated  (excepting  occasionally  one  or 

two  in  dorsal  or  anal) ;  no  ventral  spines ;  scales  when  pres- 
ent, usually  cycloid. 

*  Ventrals  jugular;  dorsal  and  anal  long,  often  divided. 

ANACANTHINI,  page  208. 

**  Ventrals  abdominal. 

f  Mouth  entirely  toothless ;  abdomen  not  serrated ;  lower 
pharyngeals  falciform,  tooth-bearing;  no  adipose  fin; 
head  naked ;  fresh  water.  .  EVENTOGNATHI,  page  211. 

ff  Body  elongated,  scaly ;  a  series  of  keeled  scales  along  sides 
of  abdomen;  lower  pharyngeals  united  (as  in  Labridce)', 
no  air  duct ;  no  adipose  fin ;  no  ventral  serratures ;  one 
or  both  jaws  or  else  pectoral  fins  greatly  elongated; 
chiefly  marine.  .  .  SYNENTOGNATHI,  page  209. 

Iff  Head  more  or  less  scaly  (naked  in  Amblyopsis,  the  Cave 
Blind  Fish) ;  both  jaws  fully  provided  with  teeth;  lower 
jaw  usually  longest;  dorsal  far  back,'  nearly  opposite 
anal;  no  adipose  fin,  ventral  serratures,  nor  peculiar 
scales ;  chiefly  fresh  water.  .  HAPLOMI,  page  209. 

ffff  Soft -rayed  fishes  showing  none  of  the  above  combina- 
tions of  characters ;  head  naked ;  adipose  fin  or  abdominal 
serratures  often  present ;  dentition  and  habitat  various. 

ISOSPONDYLI,  page  210. 
***  Ventrals  entirely  wanting. 

|  Jaws  with  teeth ;   vent  at  the  throat ;  body  oblong ;  cave 

fishes HAPLOMI,  page  209. 

#  Jaws  toothless ;  vent  normal ;  body  serpentiform. 

ANACANTHINI,  page  208. 


FISHES.  203 

FAMILIES  OF  ACANTHOPTERL 

1.  With  5  to  9  detached  finlets  behind  dorsal  and  anal ;  dorsals 

two ;  scales  small  or  none.        .       Scorabridce,  the  Mackerels. 

2.  Upper  jaw  prolonged  into  a  "sword  " ;  teeth  feeble  or  wanting; 

scaleless ;  size  large.       .        .      Xiphiidce,  the  Sword-Fishes. 

3.  Tail  ending  in  a  sharp  point ;    no  caudal  nor  ventrals ;  teeth 

strong Trichiuridce,  the  Hair-Tails. 

4.  First  dorsal  on  the  top  of  head,  modified  into  a  lamellated 

sucking  disk.         .         .         .        Echeneidida,  the  Remoras. 

5.  Ventral  fins  completely  united,  sometimes  forming  a  sucking 

disk. 

—  Dorsals  two,  distinct ;  body  scaly  or  not.      .      GOBmxE,  96. 

—  Dorsal  single ;  spinous  dorsal  enveloped  in  skin,  forming  a 

hump  in  the  adult ;  scaleless,  tuberculate. 

Cydopteridce,  the  Lump-Suckers. 

—  Dorsal  single ;  body  elongated ;  scaleless ;  small  fishes  often 

parasitic  in  shells  of  Mollusks.  Liparididce,  the  Sea  Snails. 

6.  Ventral  fins  wide  apart,  with  a  sucking  disk  between  them  ; 

dorsal  spineless,  on  the  tail.      GoliesocidcB,  the  Pike-Suckers. 

7.  With  a  stout,  sharp  spine  on  each  side  of  tail ;  body  much  com- 

pressed  Acanthuridce,  the  Surgeons. 

8.  With  several  unconnected  spines  in  place  of  the  first  dorsal. 

—  Tail  with  a  keel  on  each  side.    Carangida,  the  Pilot  Fishes. 

—  Anal  fin  preceded  by  two  free  spines ;  body  compressed  and 

elevated.         .         .         .         Carangida,  the  Pilot  Fishes. 

—  Tail  not  keeled;  jaws  toothless;  body  very  long  and  slender. 

Ammodytidce,  the  Sand  Launces. 

—  Tail  without  a  keel ;  jaws  with  teeth. 

Body  long ;  snout  elongated.     Elacatidce,  the  Crab-Eaters. 
Body  short,  compressed ;  snub-nosed. 

Stromateida,  the  Harvest  Fishes. 

9.  With  none  of  the  preceding  combinations. 

*  With  two  distinct  dorsal  fins  —  rarely  slightly  connected  by 

membrane  at  the  base, 
f  Body  with  developed  scales  or  bony  plates,  large  or  small. 


204  FISHES. 

1.  Small  fresh  water  fishes  (1  to  6  inches  long) ;  elongated 

or  fusiform,  often  brightly  colored;  the  fins  —  espe- 
cially the  pectorals— well  developed ;  anal  spines  one  or 
two ;  branchiostegals  6.  .  ETHEOSTOMATID^E,  89 

2.  Pectoral  fins  very  long,  reaching  at  least  to  anal,  with  3 

detached  appendages  or  else  several  connected,  forming 
an  additional  fin  •  cheeks  mailed ;  head  bony. 

Triglidce,  the  Gurnards. 

8.  "With  7  or  8  filiform  appendages  on  each  side  below  the 
pectorals ;  cheeks  not  mailed. 

PolynemidcB,  the  Thread-Fishes. 

4  Throat  with  two  long  barbels.     Mullidce,  the  Surmullets. 

5.  Dorsal  spines  only  two ;  scales  minute,  imbedded  in  the 

skin.         .         .         .         Rhypticidce,  the  Soap  Fishes. 

6.  Yentrals  abdominal ;    body  elongated ;    scales  cycloid ; 

teeth  stout.        .        .        Sphyrcenidce,  the  Barracudas. 

7.  With  none  of  the  above  combinations ;   ventrals  mostly 

thoracic. 

a.  Some  or  all  of  opercular  bones,  more  or  less  serrated 
or  spinous. 

b.  With  teeth  on  the  vomer. 

c.  First  dorsal  low  and  weak  of  8  spines ;  scales  small ; 

one  or  more  minute  spines  in  front  of  anal; 

teeth  strong.    .      Pomatomidce,  the  Blue  Fishes. 

cc.  Dorsal  spines  stout;  scales  ctenoid;  no  free  anal 

spines. 

d.  Ventrals  1-5 ;  branchiostegals  usually  7. 
e.  Cleft  of  mouth  horizontal  or  oblique ;  scales 
firm. 

—  Anal  spines  2,  sometimes  obscure. 

PERCED^E,  90. 

—  Anal  spines  3,  distinct.    .    LABRACID^E,  91. 
ee.  Cleft  of  mouth  nearly  vertical ;  scales  large, 

deciduous.         Chilodipteridce,  the  Apogons. 

eld.  Ventrals  1-7 ;  branchiostegals  8 ;  anal  spines  4. 

Berycida,  the  Berycoids. 


FISHES.  205 

bb.  No  teeth  on  the  vomer ;    anal  spines  1  or  2 ;    lateral 
line  usually  running  up  on  the  caudal  fin. 

SCLENDXE,  94. 

aa.  Edges  of  opercular  bones  entire. 
/.  Scales  well  developed,  not  enlarged  along  lateral  line ; 
chin  often  with  barbels ;  no  free  spines. 

Sci&nidce,  the  Maigres. 
ff.  Scales  minute ;  no  barbels. 

g.  Body  more  or  less  compressed  and  elevated ;  scales 

sometimes  enlarged  along  lateral  line ;  usually 

2  free  anal  spines.  Carangidce,  the  Pilot  Fishes. 

gg.  Body  long  and  low ;    no  free  spines  nor  lateral 

shields Gobiida,  the  Gobies. 

ft  Body  entirely  scaleless. 
A.  Body  more  or  less  depressed ;  eyes  high  up  on  the  broad 

head ;  caudal  usually  rounded. 

i.  Dorsal  with  4  spines;    ventrals  jugular  1,5;    mouth 
vertical.        .        .        Uranoscopida,  the  Star  Gazers. 
ii.  Dorsal  with  3  spines;   ventrals  jugular  I,  2;  mouth 
broad,  with  conical  teeth. 

Batrachidce,  the  Toad  Fishes. 

Hi.  Dorsal  spines  6  or  more ;  ventrals  thoracic ;  cheeks 
mailed  (i.  e.,  the  sub -orbital  bone  extending  back- 
ward over  the  cheek,  articulating  with  the  pre- 
opercle). 

—  Spinous  dorsal  shortest,  its  middle  rays  highest ; 

head  without  barbels.         .         .        COTTID^E,  95. 

—  Spinous  dorsal  longest,  notched,  its  first  rays  highest ; 

head  with  many  fleshy  slips. 

Hemitripteridce,  the  Sea  Ravens. 

hh.  Body  greatly  compressed;  the  eyes  lateral  or  anterior; 
fins  often  filamentous ;  tail  usually  slender,  the  caudal 
fin  widely  forked. 

j.  A  series  of  bony  shields  along  base  of  second  dorsal. 

Zenidce,  the  John  Dories. 
$.  No  bony  shields ;  usually  two  free  anal  spines. 

Carangida,  the  Pilot  Fishes 


206  FISHES. 

**  Dorsal  fin  single,  not  divided  to  its  base. 
k.  Fresh  water  species. 

1.  Ventrals  I,  5 ;  dorsal  spines  5  to  12 ;  vent  normal.     B.  6. 
m.  Teeth  on  vomer ;  anal  spines  3  to  9.    CENTRARCHID^E,  92. 
mm.  No  teeth  on  vomer;    anal  with  2  (or  1)  spines,  the 
second  very  strong.          .        .        .         SCI^ENID^:,  94. 
mmm.  No  teeth  on  vomer;   no  lateral  line;    dorsal  with 
five  spines;  anal  with  three.     ,     ELASSOMID^,  92  (&). 
II.  Ventrals  7-rayed;  dorsal  spines  3;  vent  jugular. 

APHODODERIIXE,  93. 
kk.  Marine  species. 

1.  Cheeks  mailed  (as  in  Cottidce,  etc.) 

n.  Body  covered  with  bony,  keeled  plates;  no  dorsal 
spines.  .  .  .  Agonidce,  the  Sea  Poachers. 

nn.  Body  with  ordinary  scales ;  spinous  dorsal  many- 
rayed.  .  .  Scorpcenidce,  the  Sea  Scorpions. 

2.  With  broad,  cutting,  incisor -like  front  teeth,  or  with 

crushing,  molar-like  lateral  teeth  or  both ;  scales  rather 
large ;  usually  a  recumbent  free  spine  in  front  of  the 
dorsal  fin ;  lower  pharyngeals  not  united. 
o.  Opercular  bones  entire ;  vertical  fins  not  much  scaly. 

Sparidce,  the  Sea  Breams. 

oo.  Preopercle  denticulated ;    soft  parts  of  vertical  fins 

densely  scaly.        .         Pimelepteridce,  the  Fat-Fins. 

I.  Body  much  compressed  and  elevated ;  the  soft  rays  of  the 

vertical  fins  covered  high  up  with  ctenoid  scales ;  teeth 

villiform ;  body  often  dark-banded. 

p.  Dorsal  with  less  than  10  spines,  separated  by  a  notch 
from  the  soft  part ;  spinous  dorsal  scaleless. 

Ephippidce,  the  Moon  Fishes. 

pp.  Dorsal  undivided,  with  10  or  more  spines,  scaly 
throughout ;  fins  often  filamentous. 

Chcetodontidce,  the  Chc&todonts. 

4.  Ventrals  wanting ;    scales   minute ;    body   high,  much 

compressed.        .        Stromateidat,  the  Harvest  Fishes. 

5.  Ventrals  jugular,  few-rayed  or  wanting;  body  long  and 

low ;  dorsal  fin  very  long,  occupying  most  of  the  back, 
at  least  half  of  it  and  sometimes  all  composed  of  flexible 
spines ;  scales  small  or  none ;  usually  an  anal  papilla. 


FISHES.  207 

q.  Ventrals  present, 
r.  Dorsal  with  both  spines  and  soft  rays. 

Blenniidce,  the  Blennies. 
rr.  Dorsal  composed  of  spines  only. 
s.  Lateral  line  usually  present  and  sometimes  dupli- 
cated; head  conic;  compressed;    pyloric  co2ca 
present.        .        Stichceidw,  the  Snake  Blennies. 
ss.  No  lateral  line ;   ventrals  I,  1 ;  no  pyloric  coeca ; 
teeth,  small,  acute.  Xiphidiontida,  the  Gunnels. 
qq.  No  ventral  fins. 

t.  Gill  openings  wide ;    scales  rudimentary ;    cleft  of 
mouth  not  vertical ;  teeth  strong. 

Anarrhichadida,  the  Wolf  Fishes, 
ft.  Gill  openings  moderate ;   no  scales ;  cleft  of  mouth 
nearly  vertical ;  dorsal  of  spines  only ;  body  almost 
eel-like.        .       Cryptacanthidce,  the  Ghost  Fishes. 
6.  With  none  of  the  preceding  combinations. 
u.  Ventrals  jugular,  4-rayed ;  dorsal  very  high  and  long. 
Bramidce,  the  Winged  Dolphins, 
uu.  Ventrals  thoracic,  I,  5. 

to.  Dorsal  of  50  or  more  rays  running  from  head  to  tail ; 
the  spinous  part  not  differentiated. 

Coryphcenidce,  the  Dolphins. 
VD.  Dorsal  shorter,  the  two  sorts  of  rays  different. 
w.  Lateral  line  interrupted. 

x.  Scales  ctenoid ;   dorsal  spines  13 ;   depth  more 
than  half  length. 

Pomacentridce,  the  Demoiselles. 

xx.  Scales  cycloid ;  dorsal  spines  9 ;  depth  less  than 
half  length.     .     Ldbridce,  the  Wrasse  Fishes. 

ww.  Lateral  line  continuous. 

y.  Opercle  or  preopercle  or  both  distinctly  serrated. 

z.  Spinous  dorsal  longer  than  the  soft  part,  of  18 
spines  which  are  tipped  with  little  mem- 
branous appendages ;  scales  cycloid. 

Labrida,  the  Wrasse  Fishes. 


208  FISHES. 

zz.  Dorsal  spines  8,  very  low,  nearly  equal  and 
scarcely  connected ;  snout  blunt. 

Stromateidce,  the  Harvest  Fishes, 
ezz.  With  neither  of  the  preceding  combinations. 
a.  No  teeth  on  vorner. 

Pristipomatida,  the  Red  Mouths. 
aa.  Teeth  on  vomer. 
6.  Canines  present ;  branchiostegals  7. 

Serranidce,  the  Sea  Bass, 
bb.  No    canines ;    branchiostegals  6 ;    eyes 
large.    .    Priacanthidce,  the  Big  Eyes. 
yy.  Opercular  bones  with  entire  edges. 
c.  Dorsal  with  nine  to  20  spines ;  anal  III,  8  or 
more ;  lips  large,  fleshy. 

Labridce,  the  Wrasse  Fishes, 
cc.  Dorsal  with  9  spines ;  anal  III,  7. 

G-erridcBy  the  Gerroids. 

FAMILIES  OF  ANACANTHINI. 

*  Ventrals  jugular,  sometimes  rudimentary. 

f  Caudal  fin  developed  as  a  separate  fin ;  lateral  line  continuous. 

GADID.E,  97. 
ft  Caudal  fin  not  separate,  dorsal  and  anal  confluent  around  the 

tail. 

|  Ventral  fins  developed,  4-rayed.       Lycodidce,  the  Eel  Pouts. 
$  Ventral  fins  replaced  by  a  pair  of  bifid  filaments. 

Ophidiidce,  the  Cusk  Eels. 
**  Ventral  fins  entirely  wanting. 

a.  Vent  remote  from  the  head.    Anrnodytidcs,  the  Sand  Launces. 
aa.  Vent  at  the  throat ;  size  small.    Fierasferidce,  the  Fierasfers. 

FAMILIES  OF  HETEROSOMATA. 

*  Pectoral  fins  well  developed.     .    Pleuronectida,  the  Flounders. 
**  Pectoral  fins  wanting  or  rudimentary.      .      Soleidce,  the  Soles. 

FAMILIES  OF  PERCESOCES. 

*  First  dorsal  with  5  to  7  flexible  spines;   body  elongated;   sides 

with  a  distinct  silvery  band.        .        .        ATHERINDXE,  99. 


FISHES.  209 

**  First  dorsal  with  4  stiff  spines ;  body  compressed ;  no  lateral 
band Mug  Hides,  the  Mullets. 

FAMILIES  OF  HEMIBRANCHII. 

*  Bones  of  head  moderately  produced ;    ventral  fins  of  a  stout 

spine  and  a  rudimentary  ray;  dorsal  preceded  by  free  spines; 

scaleless,  naked  or  with   bony  plates;    an  oblong,  silvery, 

naked  area  in  front  of  pectorals.       .       GASTKROSTEIIXE,  98. 

**  Bones  of  head  much  produced,  forming  a  long  tube  which 

bears  the  short  jaws  at  the  end;  ventral  fins  without  spine, 
f  Body  compressed ;   no  teeth ;   scales  small ;  dorsal  fins  two ; 
first  with  spines.        .        .     Centriscida,  the  Snipe  Fishes. 
ft  Body  greatly  elongated ;  teeth  present ;  no  scales ;  no  dorsal 
spines ;  middle  rays  of  caudal  produced  into  a  long  fila- 
ment.       .        .        .         Fistulariida,  the  Trumpet  Fishes. 

FAMILIES  OF  SYKENTOGNATHI. 

*  Jaws  one  or  both  elongated  into  a  long  beak, 
f  Both  jaws  elongated;  no  finlets;  size  large. 

Belonidiz,  the  Gar -Fishes. 

ft  Lower  jaw  only  elongate,  or  else   dorsal   and    anal    with 
detached  finlets,  as  in  the  Mackerels. 

Scomberesocida,  the  Sauries. 

**  Jaws  moderate ;    pectorals  elongated,  nearly  as  long  as  body, 
used  for  "  flying."        .        .     Exoccetidce,  the  Flying  Fishes. 

FAMILIES  OF  HAPLOMI. 

*  Snout  depressed  and  elongated,  its  length  more  than  half  the 

greatest  depth  of  body;  jaws,  vomer,  palate  and  tongue  armed 
with  strong,  hooked  teeth ;  body  elongated,  sub-terete ;  size 
large ;  in  fresh  water ESOCID^E,  102. 

**  Snout  rounded  and  rather  short,  its  length  being  less  than  half 
the  greatest  depth  of  body ;  teeth  moderate ;  size  small. 

f  Vent  jugular,  in  front  of  pectorals;  eyes  often  undeveloped; 
ventrals  small  or  wanting ;  cave  fishes.  AMBLYOPSHXE,  103. 

ff  Vent  normal ;  eyes  present ;  ventrals  well  developed. 
14 


210  FISHES. 

\  Margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  laterally  by  maxillaries ;  lateral 
line  inconspicuous ;  small  dusky  fishes  of  muddy  brooks ; 
usually  a  black  bar  at  base  of  caudal.  UMBRID^E,  101. 
\\  Entire  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  interniaxillaries ; 
head  depressed ;  small  fishes  of  brackish  or  fresh  waters, 
often  barred  or  striped  with  black. 

CYPRLNODONTIIXE,  100. 
FAMILIES  OF  ISOSPONDYLI. 
*  Body  entirely  scaleless ;  deep  sea  fishes. 
\  No  adipose  fin ;   throat  with  a  long  barbel ;    pectorals  rudi- 
mentary  Stomiatidce,  the  Stomiatoids. 

ft  An  adipose  fin ;  no  barbel ;   belly  with  phosphorescent  spots. 

Scopelidce,  the  Scopelids. 
**  Body  scaly ;  head  naked ;  scales  sometimes  small  and  imbedded, 

sometimes  large  and  deciduous. 
\  An  adipose  dorsal  fin ;  belly  rounded. 
a.  Margin  of  upper  jaws  formed  by  intermaxillaries  alone. 
6.  Scales  cycloid ;  deep  sea  fishes. 

Synodontidw,  the  Synodonts. 
bb.  Scales  ctenoid ;  fresh  water  fishes ;  no  teeth  on  vomer  or 

palate PERCOPSID.E,  104. 

aa.  Lateral  margins  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  maxillaries; 

scales  cycloid ;  in  all  waters.         .         SALMONID^E,  105. 

\\  No  adipose  dorsal;   lateral  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by 

maxillaries  which  are  usually  composed  of  three  pieces ; 

scales  rather  large. 

c.  Abdomen  compressed  to  an  edge  which  is  serrated ;  lateral 
line  obsolete ;  teeth  very  small  or  wanting ;  in  all  waters. 

CLUPEHXE,  107. 

ec.  Abdomen  compressed  but  not  serrated;  jaws,  vomer  and 
tongue  with  strong  teeth;  scales  large,  silvery;  body 
compressed ;  lateral  line  well  developed ;  fresh  water. 

HYODONTHXE,  106. 

ccc.  Abdomen  rounded ;  teeth  various ;  marine. 
d.  Upper  jaw  longest. 
e.  Lower  jaw  toothless;  sides  with  bright  silvery  band. 

,  the  Anchovies, 


FISHES.  211 

ee.  Both  jaws  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth ;  roof  and  floor 
of  mouth  with  coarse  patches. 

Albulidce,  the  Lady  Fishes, 
dd.  Lower  jaw  longest. 

/.  No  gular  plates ;  no  lateral  line ;  anal  short. 

Dussumierida.,  the  Round  Herrings. 

ff.  A  narrow  bony  plate  between  branches  of  lower  jaw 

(much  as  in  Amia).       .       Elopidce,  the  Jew  Fishes. 

FAMILIES  OF  EVENTOGNATHI. 

*  Pharyngeal  teeth  in  small  number  (not  more  than  7)  and  com- 

paratively large ;  dorsal  with  7  to  12  rays  (in  American  spe- 
cies) ;  mouth  moderately  or  not  protractile ;  lips  scarcely  or 
not  enlarged ;  species  mostly  of  small  size  (2  to  15  inches) 

Dace  and  Minnows CYPRINIDJE,  108. 

**  Pharyngeal  teeth  very  numerous,  small ;  mouth  very  protrac- 
tile, roundish  when  protruded,  with  enlarged,  fleshy  lips; 
dorsal  with  1 1  to  40  rays ;  species  often  of  large  size.  Suckers. 

CATOSTOMIIXE,  109. 

AA.    FAMILIES  OF  KEMATOGNATHI. 

*  Margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  only;  maxil- 

lary rudimentary,  forming  the  base  of  a  long  barbel. 

SILURIIXS;,  110. 
BB.    FAMILIES  OF  APODES. 

*  Gape  moderate ;  stomach  ordinary ;  gill  openings  narrow. 

f  Scales  rudimentary ;  dorsal  beginning  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance behind  head ;  fishes  of  shores  or  fresh  waters. 

ANGUILLIIXE,  111. 

ft  Scaleless ;  dorsal  beginning  close  behind  base  of  pectorals ; 
deep  sea  fishes.       .        .       Leptocephalidce,  the  Conger  Eels. 
**  Gape  of  mouth  enormously  wide,  leading  to  an  excessively 
.  distensible  stomach;   tail  band -like,  tapering  to  a  fine  fila- 
ment  Saccopharyngidce,  the  G-ulpers. 

FAMILIES  OF  PED1CULATI. 

*  Head  very  broad ;   depressed. 

f  Skin  smooth,  slimy;  teeth  strong,  card -like;  dorsal  VI — 8, 
or  more;  the  first  three  spines  isolated,  tentacle-like,  on 
the  head.  .  .  .  Lophiidce,  the  Fishing  Frogs. 


212  FISHES. 

ff  Skin  with  conical  tubercles;  teeth  villiform;  dorsal  I — 4; 
the  spine  tentacle -like,  retractile  into  a  cavity  beneath  a 
prominent  protuberance  on  forehead. 

Maltheida,  the  Sea  Bats. 
**  Head  high,  compressed ;  teeth  card-like. 

Antennarudce,  the  Diablos. 

FAMILIES  OF   PLECTOGNATHL 

*  Jaws  modified  into  a  sort  of  beak,  without  distinct  teeth. 

f  Both  jaws  divided  by  a  median  suture  (teeth  fused  into  two 
in  each  jaw);  belly  greatly  inflatable. 

Tetrodontidce,  the  Puffers. 

f  f  Jaws  without  median  suture ;  belly  scarcely  or  not  inflatable. 

\  Body  scarcely  compressed,  spinous,  with  a  distinct  caudal 

fin.         ....        Diodontidce,  the  Box  Fishes. 

\\  Body  much  compressed,  very  short,  truncate ;  the  vertical 

fins  more  or  less  confluent. 

Orthagoriscidm,  the  Globe  Fishes. 
**  Jaws  with  distinct  teeth. 
a.  Front  teeth  incisor-like ;  1  to  3  dorsal  spines ;  no  carapace. 

Balistido},  the  File  Fishes. 

cm.  Teeth  slender ;  no  dorsal  spines ;  body  enveloped  in  a  box- 
like  carapace,  formed  of  hexagonal  bony  plates;  snout, 
bases  of  fins  and  tail  free,  covered  with  skin. 

Ostraciontidw,  the  Trunk  Fishes. 

FAMILIES  OF  LOPHOBRANCHII. 

*  Tail  prehensile,  without  caudal  fin ;  body  abruptly  contracted 

at  base  of  tail ;  head  crested,  out  of  line  of  axis  of  body. 

Hippocampidce,  the  Sea  Horses. 

**  Tail  not  prehensile,  with  a  developed  caudal ;  body  gradually 
tapering ;  direction  of  head  in  a  line  with  axis  of  body. 

Syngnathidm,  the  Pipe  Fishes. 

ORDERS  OF  GANOIDEI. 

*  Skeleton  bony;    body  scaly;    air   bladder  cellular,  lunglike 

(HYOGANOIDEI). 
f  Scales  cycloid ;  snout  short,  broad.     .      CYCLOGAKOIDEI,  CC. 


FISHES.  213 

•ff  Scales   ganoid,    diamond-shaped^ enamelled    plates;    snout 

lengthened,  depressed.        .        .      RHOMBOGANOIDEI,  DD. 

**  Skeleton  chiefly  cartilaginous ;  body  naked  or  with  3  to  5  rows 

of  bony  bucklers ;  vertical  fins  with  fulcra.    (CHONDROGAN- 

OIDEI.) 

\  Mouth  terminal,  broad ;    lower  jaw,  maxillaries  and   palate 

with  many  minute,  deciduous  teeth.     SELACHOSTOMI,  EE. 

#  Mouth  narrow,  inferior,  toothless.       .       CHONDROSTEI,  FF. 

CC.    FAMILIES  OF  CYCLOGANOIDEI. 

*  A  broad  bony  plate  between  branches  of  lower  jaw;   vertical 

fins  without  fulcra ;   dorsal  fin  very  long  of  more  than  40 
rays ;  body  stout AMIIDUE,  112. 

DD.    FAMILIES  OF  RHOMBOGANOIDEI. 

*  Vertical  fins  with  fulcra ;   dorsal  short,  far  back,  of  less  than  12 

rays ;  body  elongated.        .        .        .        LEPIDOSTEDXE,  113. 

EE.    FAMILIES  OF  SELACHOSTOMI. 

*  Skin  naked ;   snout  produced  into  a  flat  blade ;   opercle  with  a 

long  flap POLYODONTEDjE,  114. 

FF.    FAMILIES  OF  CHONDROSTEI. 

*  Body  with  5  rows  of  bony  shields  (rarely  deciduous) ;    snout 

produced ;  four  barbels  in  front  of  mouth. 

AdPKNSERIIXE,  115. 


214  FISHES. 


z  dlass.  —  Selensteu 

Fishes.) 


Skeleton  more  or  less  ossified;  tail  homocercal;  optic 
nerves  simply  crossing,  without  chiasma;  arterial  bulb 
simple,  with  two  opposite  valves  at  its  origin;  air 
bladder,  if  present,  not  lung  -  like  ;  body  usually  scaly, 
sometimes  covered  with  naked  skin  or  bony  plates; 
membrane  bones  (opercles,  etc.)  developed  in  relation  to 
the  skull.  This  group  comprises  the  great  majority  of 
recent  fishes. 


OEDEE  Z.-TELEOCEPHALI 

(The  Typical  FisTies.) 

This  order  again  comprises  the  vast  majority  of  recent 
fishes,  and  is  characterized  rather  negatively,  as  wanting 
the  peculiarities  of  the  other  orders  than  as  having  any 
positive  distinctions  of  its  own.  The  maxillaries  are 
normally  developed  and  distinct  from  each  other,  never 
forming  the  base  of  a  long  barbel.  The  gills  are  pecti- 
nated and  of  the  ordinary  pattern,  and  the  gill-openings 
are  in  front  of  the  pectorals  and  never  very  narrow;  the 
subopercle  is  present.  The  scales  are  (when  present) 
very  rarely  ossified,  and  are  generally  either  ctenoid  or 
cycloid.  This  group  includes  the  Acanthopterygians 
and  Malacopterygiam  of  Cuvier,  and  the  nearly  cor- 
responding Ctenoidei  and  Cycloidei,  Physoclysti  and 


ETHEOSTOMATID^E.  —  LXXXTX.  215 

Physostomi  of  later  writers;  but  however  different  the 
extremes  of  each  (as  Percoids  and  Cyprinoids)  may  be, 
the  intervening  forms  are  too  closely  related  to  render 
it  possible  to  characterize  them  as  distinct  orders. 

-  '*** 

f 


(The  Spiny-rayed  Fishes.) 
FAMILY  LXXXIX.— 


//  y 

/  ' 


(  The  Darters.)  \  - 

Fresh  water  fishes  of  small  size,  closely  related  to  the 
Percidce,  but  so  peculiar  in  many  respects  that  it  seems 
preferable  to  consider  them  as  forming  a  distinct  family. 
Dorsal  fins  two,  generally  connected  by  membrane  at  the 
base,  the  second  and  often  both  dorsals  high  and  large; 
anal  usually  well  developed,  with  one  or  two  spines; 
pectorals  (except  in  one  or  two  species)  very  large  and 
broad,  often  reaching  beyond  base  of  anal;  caudal  large, 
rounded  or  slightly  forked;  scales  ctenoid,  sometimes 
absent  on  neck  or  belly,  or  both;  head  usually  more  or 
less  scaly;  teeth  well  developed  on  jaws  and  usually 
on  vomer;  branchios.  G;  air  bladder  rudimentary;  "sub- 
orbital  arch  incomplete."  Colors  often  very  bright; 
species  of  Poecilichthys  and  Diplesium  being  the  most 
brilliantly  colored  fresh  water  fishes  known  ;  sexual  differ- 
ences usually  recognizable,  the  females  being  as  a  rule 
duller  in  colon  and  more  speckled  or  barred.  In  most 
species  there  is  a  dark  streak  from  eye  to  snout,  and 
often  a  dark  vertical  bar  below  the  eyes.  Genera  seven- 
teen, or  fewer;  species  about  sixty,  all  belonging  to  the 
U.  S.  and  Mexico,  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  being 
most  abundant  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  where  almost 
or  nearly  all  the  genera  may  be  found  in  the  same  stream. 


216  FISHES. 

Most  of  them  prefer  clear  running  water,  where  they 
lie  on  the  bottom  concealed  under  stones,  darting  when 
frightened  or  hungry  with  great  velocity  for  a  short 
distance  by  a  powerful  movement  of  the  fan -shaped 
pectorals,  then  stopping  as  suddenly.  They  rarely  use 
the  caudal  fin  in  swimming,  and  they  are  never  seen 
moving  or  floating  freely  in  the  water  like  most  fishes. 
When  at  rest  they  support  themselves  on  their  extended 
ventrals  and  anal.  Pleurolepis,  unlike  the  others,  pre- 
fers a  sandy  bottom,  where,  by  an  almost  instantaneous 
plunge,  it  buries  itself  in  the  sand  and  remains  quiescent 
for  hours  at  a  time,  with  only  its  eyes  and  snout  visible. 
All  are  carnivorous,  and,  in  their  way,  voracious.  All 
are  of  small  size,  the  largest  (Pertina)  reaches  a  length 
of  about  eight  inches,  while  the  smallest  (Micropercci), 
which  is  the  smallest  spiny -rayed  fish  known,  barely 
attains  a  length  of  an  inch  and  a  half. 

*  Lateral  line  complete;   body  much  elongate,  subcylindrical, 

pellucid,  with  at  least  the  entire  ventral  region  naked. 
a.  Body  entirely  naked,  except  the  caudal  peduncle  and  the 
lateral  line ;  dorsal  fins  high,  well  separated,  equal  to  the 
anal  fin  and  to  each  other ;  a  single  anal  spine ;  head  en- 
tirely scaleless;    mouth  large,  with  voinerine  teeth,  the 
upper  jaw  subprotractile.          .        .         AMMOCRYPTA,  1. 
aa.  Body  covered  above  with  small,  thin,  imbedded  scales,  the 
ventral  region  entirely  naked,  the  dorsal  scales  obscure  but 
present;  dorsal  fins  small,  wide  apart;  one  anal  spine  ; 
cheeks  and  opercles  scaly;  mouth  large,  with  vomerine 
teeth,  the  upper  jaw  subprotractile.      .      PLEUROLEPIS,  2. 
**  Lateral  line  complete;  body  less  elongate,  entirely  scaly,  or 

with  definitely  naked  areas  on  throat,  neck,  or  ventral  line. 
f  Second  dorsal  not  larger  than  spinous  dorsal,  and  little,  if  any, 
larger  than  anal ;  the  dorsal  fins  distinct,  the  first  the  longer 
and  usually  the  larger ;  body  little  compressed ;  two  dis- 
tinct anal  spines  (except  in  Alwrdius  peltatus,  a  species  of 
uncertain  affinities). 


ETHEOSTOMATID.E. — LXXXIX.  217 

b.  Upper  jaw  not  protractile;  vomerine  teeth  present. 
c.  Mouth  narrow,  inferior,  overlapped  by  a  tapering,  trun- 
cate, more  or  less  "pig-like"  snout;  ventral  plates  pres- 
ent, or,  if  fallen,  a  naked  strip ;  body  elongated ;  cheeks 
and  opercles  scaly ;  size  largest  of  all  the  darters. 

PERCINA,  3. 
cc.  Mouth  wider,  terminal,  the  upper  jaw  being  but  little 

longer  than  the  lower. 
d.  Ventral  plates  developed,  or,  if  fallen,  middle  line  of 

belly  with  a  naked  strip. 

e.  Body  and  head  elongate ;  the  vertebrae  in  increased 
number,  more  than  20  in  front  of  anus ;  well-devel- 
oped teeth  on  vomer  and  palatines ;  dorsal  spines  12 
to  15 ;  fins  never  tuberculate.  .  ALVORDIUS,  4. 
ee.  Body  and  head  shortened ;  vertebrae  fewer,  less  than 
20  in  front  of  anus ;  a  few  minute  teeth  on  vomer 
and  none  on  palatines;  dorsal  spines  10  to  12; 
colors  brilliant,  the  male  in  Spring  with  the  lower 

fins  tuberculate ERICOSMA,  5. 

dd.  Ventral  plates  not  developed ;  middle  line  of  belly 

scaled  like  the  sides.         .        .        HADROPTERUS,  6. 

bb.  Upper  jaw  protractile,  a  distinct  furrow  separating  it  from 

the  skin  of  the  forehead. 

/.  No  ventral  plates ;  posterior  ventral  region  scaled ;  anterior 
region  largely  naked;  vomer  well  toothed;  head  and 
body  stout  and  heavy ;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly ;  anal 
fin  (in  adult  males  ?)  greatly  elevated,  reaching  to  base 
of  caudal  tin IMOSTOMA,  7. 

ff.  Ventral  plates  well  developed,  or,  if  fallen,  a  naked  strip; 
vomer  with  a  few  minute  teeth ;  palatines  naked ;  body 
rather  slender,  with  rather  narrow  head  and  small  sub- 
inferior  mouth ;  cheeks  naked ;  opercles  scaly ;  anal  fin 
not  enlarged.  ....  RHEOCRYPTA,  8. 

ff  Second  dorsal  considerably  larger  than  anal  fin ;  no  ventral 
plates,  the  middle  line  of  the  belly  always  covered  with 
small  scales  like  those  of  the  sides. 
ff-  Upper  jaw  protractile. 
10 


218  FISHES. 

h.  No  teeth  on  vomer  or  palatines ;  mouth  small,  contracted, 
subinferior ;  head  short  and  thick,  with  swollen  cheeks ; 
spinous  dorsal  rather  long ;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly ; 
anal  spines  strong;  body  elongated,  little  compressed. 

DIPLESIUM,  9. 

hh.  Vomerine  teeth  present ;  dorsals  contiguous,  but  distinct ; 
the  spinous  dorsal  short ;  head  narrowed ;  the  mouth 
rather  small,  horizontal,  subinferior. 
i.  Anal  spines  two,  well  developed ;  the  first  the  longer. 

ULOCENTRA,  10. 
ii.  Anal  spines  obscure  and  undifferentiated  from  the  soft 

rays BOLEOSOMA,  11. 

gg.  Upper  jaw  not  protractile. 

j.  Dorsal  fins  well  apart ;  body  fusiform,  little  compressed ; 
scales  large ;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly ;  mouth  small, 
horizontal,  subinferior  (as  in  Boleosoma) ;  caudal  pe- 
duncle rather  slender.  .  .  .  NANOSTOMA,  12. 
jj.  Dorsal  fins  slightly  connected  at  base ;  body  rather  short, 
deep,  strongly  compressed ;  scales  small ;  cheeks  naked ; 
mouth  rather  large,  oblique  (as  in  PwcilicJithys) ;  caudal 

peduncle  deep NOTHONOTUS,  13. 

***  Lateral  line  incomplete  or  wanting;  no  ventral  plates;  upper 
jaw  not  protractile;  second  dorsal  larger  than  anal;  vomer 
with  teeth. 

k.  Lateral  line  present  on  anterior  part  of  body. 
I.  Dorsal  fins  contiguous,  the  membrane  of  the  first  reaching 

to  the  base  of  the  second. 

m.  Spinous  dorsal  fin  well  developed,  two-thirds  or  more 
the  height  of  the  second ;  the  spines  graduated,  never 
ending  in  little  fleshy  knobs ;  lateral  line  extending 
more  than  half  the  length  of  the  body ;  mouth  moder- 
ate, the  upper  jaw  usually  a  little  the  longer;  opercles 
scaly ;  cheeks  naked ;  body  rather  short  and  deep. 

POSCILICHTHYS,    14. 

mm.  Spinous  dorsal  low  and  small,  the  spines  subequal, 
scarcely  half  the  height  of  the  soft  rays,  in  males  end- 
ing in  little  fleshy  knobs ;  mouth  rather  large ;  body 
elongated,  compressed.  .  .  ETHEOSTOMA,  15. 


ETHEOSTOMATID.E. — LXXXIX  219 

II.  Dorsal  fins  about  equal,  well  separated ;  body  elongated ; 

cheeks  and  opercles  scaly. 

7i.  Jaws  about  equal ;  lateral  line  curved  upward  over  the 
pectorals,  not  reaching  to  middle  of  body ;  body  elon- 
gated   BOLEICHTHYS,  16. 

kk.  No  lateral  line ;  dorsal  fins  small,  subequal,  well  separated ; 
mouth  small,  with  nearly  equal  jaws;  scales  large;  size 
smallest  of  all  spiny-rayed  fishes.  .  MICROPERCA,  17. 

/.  AMMOCRYPTA,  Jordan.     SAND-DIVERS. 

1.  A.  beanii,  Jordan.  BEAN'S  DARTER.  Body  very 
slender;  general  form  and  appearance  of  Pleurolepis; 
dorsal  fins  very  high;  color  translucent,  with  a  golden 
lateral  band;  dorsal  fin  with  large  black  spots;  D.  X— 
10;  A.  I,  9;  lat.  1.  65.  Lower  Mississippi;  a  remarkable 
species. 

2.  PLEUROLEPIS,  Agassiz.     PELLUCID  DARTERS. 

1.  P.  pellucidus,  (Baird.)  Ag.  SAND  DARTER.  Depth  6 
to  8  in  length;  body  nearly  cylindrical;  head  elongated, 
pointed;  scales  small,  finely  dotted,  far  apart,  and  deeply 
imbedded;  fins  small;  color  pinkish  white,  pellucid  in 
life,  with  a  series  of  small,  squarish,  olive  (blue)  blotches 
along  back,  and  another  along  sides,  the  spots  connected 
by  a  gilt  line;  D.  X— 9;  A.  II,  6;  length  2  to  3  inches. 
Ohio  Valley,  in  sandy  streams;  one  of  the  most  interest- 
ing of  our  fishes. 

3.  PERCINA,  Haldeman.     LOG  PERCHES. 

=Pileoma,  DeKay. 

1.  P.  caprodes,  (Raf.)  Girard.  LOG  PERCH.  HOG  FISH. 
ROCK  FISH.  Salmon  yellow  or  greenish,  with  about 
fifteen  transverse  dark  bands  from  back  to  belly,  these 
usually  alternating  with  shorter  and  fainter  ones  reach- 
ing about  to  lateral  line;  a  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal; 
belly  with  a  row  of  enlarged  plates,  shed  at  some 


220  FISHES. 

seasons;  neck  above  scaly;  D.  XIII— 12;  A.  II,  10. 
Great  Lakes  and  Western  Streams,  abundant,  E.  to  L. 
Champlain;  the  largest  of  the  Darters,  reaching  a  length 
of  six  or  eight  inches.  (P.  zebra,  semifasciata,  nebulosa, 
and  bimaculata  of  authors.) 

2.  P.  manitou,  Jordan.  MANITOTJ  DARTER.  Head 
notably  shorter  and  broader  than  in  P.  caprodes;  mouth 
smaller  and  less  inferior;  fins  larger;  lateral  bars  shorter 
and  more  blotch  like,  not  meeting  their  fellows  across 
the  back;  space  in  front  of  dorsal  fin  entirely  naked; 
D.  XV— 14;  A.  II,  10.  Indiana  (Lake  Manitou)  to 
Wisconsin. 

4.  ALVORDIUS,  Girard.     BLACK -SIDED  DARTERS. 
(Etheostoma,  Agassiz  —  not  of  Raf.) 

1.  A.  maculatus,  Grd.  BLACK-SIDED  DARTER.   BLENNY 
DARTER.     Head  long,  pointed,  4  in  length;  depth  5  to  5J; 
belly  with  a  series  of  caducous  plates  along  the  middle 
line  (shed  at  some  seasons.)     Straw  yellow,  with  dark 
tesselations  and  about   seven  large   blotches  along  the 
sides,  partly  confluent,  thus  forming  a  inoniliform  band; 
D.  XIII,  to  XV- 12;  A.  II,  9.     Ohio  Valley,  Great  Lakes 
and  eastward;  one  of  the  most  curious  and  elegant  of 
all  the  Darters.     (A.  aspro,  Cope  &  Jor.     ?  Alvordius 
and  Hadropterus  maculatm,  Grd.     Etheostoma   blen- 
nioides,  Ag.) 

2.  A.  pe/tatus,  (Stauffer)  Cope  &  Jordan.     SHIELDED 
DARTER.      Head    shorter;    sides    with    broad,  brownish 
shades;  ventral  shields  much  larger;  D.  XII— 13;  A.  I, 
9;  lat.  1.  53.     Penn. 

3.  A.  macrocephalus,   Cope.     LONG-HEADED  DARTER. 
Head  much   elongated,   3J  in  length,  the    snout  much 
longer  than  the  eye;  cheeks  and  opercles naked;  colora- 


ETHEOSTOMATID^E. — LXXXIX.  221 

tion  nearly  that  of  A.  maculatus;  scales  quite  small; 
D.  XV-13;  A.  II,  11;  lat.  1.  77.  Headwaters  of  Ohio 
River. 

4.  A.  phoxocephalus,  (Nelson)  Cope  &  Jordan.  SHARP- 
NOSED  DARTER.  Body  slender,  compressed;  head  4  in 
length,  very  long,  narrow  and  tapering,  the  snout  very 
acuminate,  scarcely  longer  than  eye;  mouth  large,  with 
the  jaws  about  equal;  cheeks,  opercles  and  neck  with 
small  scales;  coloration  as  in  the  other  species  except 
that  the  spots  on  the  sides  are  nearly  square  and  rather 
small;  a  small  black  spot  at  the  end  of  the  lateral  line; 
D.  XII  — 13;  A.  II,  9;  lat.  1.  68.  Indiana  to  Tennessee 
and  Kansas,  a  singular  species  known  at  once  by  the 
coloration  and  the  form  of  the  head. 

5.  ERICOSMA,  Jordan.  GILDED  DARTERS. 
1.  E.  evides,  Jordan  &  Copeland.  Body  rather  short 
and  deep;  head  heavy,  4£  in  length;  mouth  moderate, 
the  lower  jaw  the  shorter;  cheeks,  neck  above,  and  throat 
naked;  opercles  with  a  few  rather  large  scales;  body  with 
about  seven  broad  transverse  bars,  black  in  the  female, 
of  a  dark  rich  metallic  blue-green  in  the  male,  the  inter- 
spaces between  the  bars  creamy  in  the  female,  bronze 
red  in  the  male ;  belly  chiefly  yellow;  cheeks  orange  red; 
dorsal  orange  with  a  black  spot;  vertical  fins  chiefly 
orange;  anal  somewhat  dusky;  ventrals  blue -black; 
males  with  the  ventral  and  anal  fins  tuberculate  in  the 
Spring;  D.  XI  — 10;  A.  II,  9.  A  most  beautiful  species, 
as  yet  known  only  from  the  rapids  of  White  River,  above 
Indianapolis.  (E.  nigrofasciatum,  Ed.  I.,  not  of  Agassiz.) 

6.  HADROPTERUS,  Agassiz.     CRAWL-A-BOTTOMS. 

(Hypohomus,  Cope.) 
1,  H.  aurantiacus,  (Cope)  Jordan.     ORAXGE  DARTER, 


222  FISHES. 

Bright  yellow,  with  a  black  lateral  band  formed  of  con- 
fluent spots  in  front;  a  few  brown  spots  on  back;  fins 
plain;  D.  XV — 15;  A.  II,  11;  size  large,  Tennessee  R. 

2.  H.  tesse/fatus,  Jordan.  Head  broad  and  heavy; 
mouth  large;  cheeks  and  opercles  naked,  or  nearly  so; 
D.  X— 12;  A.  II,  8.  Allegheny  River. 

7.  IMOSTOMA,  Jordan.  BIG-HEADED  DARTERS. 
1.  /.  shumardii,  (Grd.)  Jor.  Body  stout  and  heavy 
forward,  compressed  behind;  head  blunt,  broad  and  thick, 
3£  in  length;  mouth  large,  the  jaws  nearly  equal;  belly 
naked  anteriorly,  scaly  behind;  cheeks,  opercles  and 
neck  scaly;  breast  naked;  anal  fin  large,  in  males  much 
prolonged,  reaching  caudal;  color  dark,  vaguely  blotched 
with  darker;  spinous  dorsal  with  a  large  black  spot  be- 
hind, a  smaller  one  in  front;  a  strong  suborbital  bar;  D. 
X— 15;  A.  II,  11;  -lat.  1.  56.  Indiana  to  Illinois  and 
Arkansas. 

8.  RHEOCRYPTA,  Jordan.     RIPPLE  DARTERS. 
1.  R.  cope  I  and i,  Jordan.     COPELAND'S  DARTER.  Body 
rather  slender;  head  rather  long  and  narrow,  4£  in  length; 
mouth  small,  subinferior;  checks  naked;    opercles  with 
a  few  scales;  color  yellowish,  with   oblong  black  spots, 
along  the  lateral  line,    smaller  than  in  the  species  of 
Alvordius.     D.  XI  — 10;  A.  II,  9;  lat.  1.  56.     Rapids  of 
White  River,  with  Mricosma  evides,  a  small  and  rather 
plain,  but  graceful  species. 

9.  DIPLESIUM,  Rafinesque.     GREEN- SIDED  DARTERS. 

•=Hyostoma,  Agassiz. 

1.  D.  b/ennio/desf  (Raf.)  Jordan.  GREEN- SIDED 
DARTER.  Olive  green  and  tessellated  above;  sides  with 
a  series  of  about  seven  double  transverse  bars,  each  pair 


ETHEOSTOMATID.E, — LXXXIX.  223 

forming  a  Y-shaped  figure;  these  are  joined  above, 
making  a  sort  of  wavy  lateral  band;  in  life,  these  mark- 
ings are  of  a  clear  deep  green;  sides  sprinkled  with 
orange  dots;  head  with  olive  stripes  and  the  usual  dark 
bars;  first  dorsal  dark  orange  brown  at  base,  blue  above, 
becoming  pale  at  tip;  second  dorsal  and  anal  of  a  rich 
blue  green  with  some  reddish;  caudal  greenish;  young 
specimens  much  duller,  but  the  peculiar  pattern  is 
unmistakable;  body  stout;  head  short  and  thick;  D. 
XII  to  XIII -13;  A.  II,  8;  length  3  inches.  Penn.  to 
Kas.  and  S,,  abundant  in  Indiana,  one  of  the  handsomest 
of  fishes.  [j£T.  cymatogrammum,  (Abbott)  Cope.]  H. 
blennioperca,  Cope.) 

2.  D.  simoierum,  (Cope)  Copeland.  SNUB  -  NOSED 
DARTERS.  Body  short  and  thick;  head  very  short  and 
blunt;  a  series  of  square  dark  green  blotches  along  sides 
and  another  on  the  back;  spotted  above  with  red;  belly 
saffron ;  soft  dorsal  chiefly  blood  -  red;  first  dorsal  orange- 
margined;  D.  X— 11;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  52;  length  3  inches. 
Tennessee  and  Cumberland  Rivers. 

10.  ULOCENTRA,  Jordan.     SPECKS. 
1.  U.    airipinnis,    Jordan.      BLACK -FINNED    DARTER. 

Body  rather  stout;  head  extremely  short  and  deep,  4-J  in 
length  of  body ;  the  snout  very  short  and  abruptly  rounded 
mouth  small,  with  equal  jaws;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly; 
fins  large;  head  black  above;  about  eleven  indistinct, 
bar-like  blotches  along  the  sides;  fins  chiefly  black;  D. 
XII -10;  A.  II,  7.  Cumberland  River. 

//.  BOLEQSOMA,  DeKay.     TESSELLATED  DARTERS. 

>  Arlina  and  Estrella,  Grd. 
*  Anal  spines  two,  very  feeble. 

1.     B.    effulgens,    (Grd.)     Cope.       Caudal   peduncle 


224  FISHES. 

thick,  not  contracted;  cheeks  naked;  snout  blackish;  D. 
IX-13;  A.  II,  8;  lat.  1.  40;  caudal  rounded.  Maryland 
to  N.  C. 

2.  B.  macu/at/ceps,  Cope.    SPECKLED  DARTER.  Caudal 
peduncle  contracted;  cheeks  usually  with  a  few  scales; 
caudal    truncate;     crown    and    muzzle    closely    brown- 
spotted;  D.  X-13;  A.  II,  8;  lat.  1.  41.     Va.  to  Ga. 

**  Anal  spine  single,  weak. 

3.  B.  olmstedi,  (Storer)  Ag.      TESSELLATED  DARTER. 
Fins  stouter  and  higher  than  in  the  next;  depth  5^-  in 
length;  head  4^;    olivaceous,  fins  barred;    back   tessel- 
lated;   a  black  streak  forward,  and    another  downward 
from  eye;    cheeks  and  opercles  scaly;    neck  and  throat 
bare;  D.  IX-14;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  50.     New  England  to 
Wisconsin;  abundant  eastward.     (B.  tessellation,  DeK.) 

Var.  atromaculata,  (Grd.)  has   the    neck  and   throat 
scaly. 

4.  B.  maculaia,  Ag.      JOHNNY  DARTER.      Paler  and 
more    distinctly    tessellated;    brownish    yellow;    upper 
surface  dotted  with  brown,  the  spots  forming  a  few  dark 
bars  on  back;  a  dark  line  from  eye  to  snout;  and  some- 
times a  bar  below  eye;  smaller  and  slenderer  than  the 
preceding,  with  smaller  fins;  eye  as  long  as  the  narrow, 
pointed  snout;  cheeks,  neck  and  throat  naked;  opercles 
scaly;  D.  IX-12;  A.  1,  8  to  I,  10;  lat.  1.  45.     E.  U.  S., 
abundant,  west  of  the  Alleganies.    (JB.  brevipinne.  Cope.) 

***  Anal  spine  entirely  wanting. 

5.  B.  cesopus,    Cope.      Caudal  peduncle    contracted; 
dorsal  outline  curved;  fins  high;  brownish,  with  spots  on 
back  and  sides;  D.  VII -14;  A.  10;  lat.  1.  47.     Allegheny 
River,  Penn, 


ETHEOSTOMATID^.— LXXXIX.  225 

12.  NANOSTOMA,  Putnam.  ZOXED  DARTERS. 
1.  H.  zonal  is,  (Cope)  Jor.  ZOXED  DARTER.  Oliv- 
aceous, golden  below;  six  dark  brown  quadrate  spots 
along  the  back,  connected  by  alternating  spots  with  a 
brown  lateral  band  from  which  eight  narrow  bands  en- 
circle the  belly;  lower  fins  yellow  with  brown  spots; 
spinous  dorsal  with  a  crimson  band;  a  series  of  crimson 
spots  on  base  of  soft  dorsal;  black  spot  on  opercle,  occi- 
put and  base  of  pectorals;  black  bars  downward  from 
eye  and  forward;  D.  XI— 12;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  52.  Indiana 
to  Tenn. 

13.  NOTHONOTUS,  Agassiz.    BLUE-BREASTED  DARTERS. 

1.  N.  macu/atuSf  (Kirt.)  Ag.     TROUT  DARTER.     Body 
moderately   elongate,  deep  and  compressed,  head  4  in 
length;  depth  4f;   head  long  and  rather  pointed;  mouth 
pretty  large;  jaws  equal;  dorsal  fin  elevated,  the  longest 
rays  reaching  caudal ;  olive,  sides  with  rather  large  spots 
of   brilliant  carmine;    vertical  fins  more  or  less  barred 
with  red  and   white;  D.  XII,  13;    A.   II,  8;    lat.  1.  60. 
Mahoning  River,  Ohio,  a  rare  and  handsome  species. 

2.  N.  camurus,  (Cope)  Jor.    BLUE-BREASTED  DARTER. 
Body  stout,  head  short,  with  the  muzzle  abruptly  decurved, 
so  that  the  upper  jaw  is  the  longer,  and  the  mouth  some- 
what inferior;  dark  olive;  head  blackish  above;  breast 
and   throat  deep   blue;    sides  greenish,  sprinkled  with 
carmine  spots,  much  as  in  a  trout;  series  of  olivaceous 
lines  along  the  rows  of  scales;  vertical  fins  chiefly  crimson 
at  base,  then  yellow,  with  a  bright  blue  or  black  edging, 
in  $  merely  speckled;  lateral  line  nearly  complete;    D. 
XII— 13;  A.  II,  8;    lat.  1.  52;    length  2£  inches.     Ohio 
Valley,  not  common,  one  of  the  handsomest  of  our  fishes; 
the  coloration  is  often  quite  dark. 


226  FISHES. 

3.  N.  sanguifluus,    (Cope)  Jor.      Slender;   muzzle  not 
decurved;    black,  with  scattered  crimson  spots;    breast 
blue;    fins  crimson  without  dark  margin;    D.  XII  — 13; 
A.  II,  9;  lat.  1.  58.     Cumberland  River. 

4.  N.     vulneraius,    (Cope)    Jor.      Stout;    muzzle  not 
decurved;  back  not  arched;  pale,  with  dark  olive  cross- 
bars and  some  crimson  spots;  first  dorsal  with  red  spots; 
second  dorsal  and  caudal  dark-margined;  D.  XIV— 13, 
A.  II,  8;  lat.  1.  53.     French  Broad  R. 

5.  N.  rufilineatus,  (Cope)  Jor.      Stout;   head,  etc.,  as 
in  the  preceding ;   back  arched  ;    coloration    pale,  with 
narrow  dark  lines  enclosing  spaced,  quadrate,  red-brown 
spots;  belly  orange;    throat  blue;    fins  largely   orange, 
with  a  broad  vermillion  border  and  a  narrow  black  edge; 
D.  XI-13;  A.  II,  8;  lat.  1.  45.     French  Broad  River. 

14.  POECILICHTHYS,  Agassiz.     RAINBOW  DARTERS. 

=  Astatichthys,  Le  Vaillant. 

1.  P.  variaius,  (Kirt.)  Ag.  BLUE  DARTER.  RAIN- 
BOW FISH.  BLUE  JOHNNY.  Olivaceous,  tessellated  above, 
the  spots  running  together  into  blotches;  back  without 
black  lengthwise  stripes;  sides  with  about  twelve  indigo 
blue  bars  running  obliquely  downward,  most  distinct 
behind,  separated  by  rich  orange  interspaces;  caudal 
deep  orange,  edged  with  bright  blue ;  anal  orange,  with 
deep  blue  in  front  and  behind;  soft  dorsal  chiefly  orange, 
blue  at  base  and  tip;  spinous  dorsal  crimson  at  base, 
then  orange,  with  blue  edgings;  ventrals  bluish,  often 
deep  indigo  blue;  cheeks  blue;  throat  and  breast  orange, 
these  two  shades  very  constant;  ?  much  duller,  with  but 
little  or  no  blue  or  orange,  the  vertical  fins  barred  or 
checked;  colors  fade  in  alcohol;  body  short  and  stout; 
head  large;  D.  X— 12;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  45;  length  2  to  3 


ETHEOSTOMATIDJE. — LXXXIX.  227 

inches.     Mississippi  Valley,  abundant;    the  most  gaily 
colored  of  all  the  Darters. 

2.  P.  spectab/'/is,  Ag.     STRIPED  BLUE  DARTER.     Like 
the  preceding  and  equally  brilliant,  but  larger  and  more 
compressed,  and  more  elongate;  back  with  distinct  black- 
ish stripes  along  the  rows  of  scales,  pattern  of  coloration 
similar,  but  the  colors  having  a  clear  or  bleached  appear- 
ance; with  the  other,  but  less  abundant;  often  found  in 
muddy  water  where  P.  variatus  never  ventures. 

3.  P.  Jessies,  Jordan   and  Bray  ton.     SOUTHERN  BLUE 
DARTER.     Cheeks  scaly  above — not  entirely  naked  as  in 
the  two  preceding  species;  lateral  line  extending  to  end 
of  second  dorsal — farther  than  in  either  of  the  preceding 
species;  chestnut  colored  above,  with  squarish  blotches 
of  a  dark,  clear  blue  on  the  sides;  fins  mottled  with  chest- 
nut or  golden;  D.  XII — 12;  A.  11,9.     Tennessee  River. 

15.  ETHEOSTOMA,  Rafinesque.     STRIPED   DARTERS. 
(Catonotus,  Agassiz.) 

*  Head  entirely  scaleless ;  lateral  line  short;  lower  jaw  longest. 

1.  E.  flabellaris,  Raf.  FAX -TAILED  DARTER.  Oliva- 
ceous, dusky  above;  sides  with  obscure  dusky  bars;  each 
scale  with  a  brownish  spot,  these  sometimes  forming 
series  of  longitudinal  lines  but  never  very  distinct  ones; 
head  narrow;  mouth  oblique;  body  rather  slender;  fins 
strongly  barred;  D.  VIII— 12;  A.  II,  8;  length  2$  inches. 
Great  Lakes  and  streams  from  N.  Y.,  S.  and  W.,  abund- 
ant. (E.  limleyi,  H.  R.  Storer.  Oligocephalus  humer- 
alis  and  Catonotus  fasciatus,  Girard.) 

Var.  lineolaia,  (Ag.)  Jor.  STRIPED  DARTER.  Oliva- 
ceous, each  scale  with  a  black  spot,  hence  the  body  with 
a  series  of  fine  dotted  longitudinal  lines  which  are  very 
distinct  above;  some  ($?)  further  marked  with  dark  cross 


228  FISHES. 

bars;  D.  VIII— 12;  A.  II,  8.     Great  Lakes  and  Missis- 
sippi Valley,  rather  northward;  body  deeper  and  colors 
much  brighter    than   in  the  preceding,  of   which  it   is 
probably  a  variety. 
**  Head  scaly;  lateral  line  nearly  complete;  jaws  equal. 

2.  E.  squamiceps,  Jordan.  Body  elongate ;  head  large, 
3-J-  in  length;  jaws  shorter  than  in  E.Jlabellarisj  cheeks, 
opercles,  neck  and  throat  densely  scaly;  lateral  line 
wanting  only  on  about  ten  scales;  colors  dark;  fins  barred; 
D.  IX — 12;  A.  II,  7.  Ohio  Valley.  A  curious  species, 
in  some  respects  intermediate  between  Etheostoma  and 
Nothonotus. 

16.  BOLEICHTHYS,  Girard.     RED -SIDED  DARTERS. 
>  Hololepis,  Agassiz. 

1.  B.  fusiformis,  (Grd.)  Jordan.     FUSIFORM   DARTEE. 
Lateral  line  on  12  scales,  reaching  middle  of  first  dorsal; 
head  3^  in  length;  yellowish  brown;  spotted;  D.  VIII — 
9;  A.  II,  7;  lat.l.  52.     Charles  R.,  Mass. 

2.  B.  erochrous,  (Cope)  Jordan.    RED  -  SIDED  DARTER. 
Lateral  line  extending  to  middle  of  first  dorsal  on  12  to 
16    scales;    head  4    in   length;    sides  with  dusky  band, 
interrupted  by  red  dots;  D.  IX— 10;  A.  II,  7;   lat,  1.  44. 
New  Jersey. 

3.  B.   eos,    Jordan  &  Copeland.      SUNRISE    DARTER. 
Body    slender,    elongate,    with    long    caudal    peduncle; 
mouth  small;  lateral  line  to  end  of  first  dorsal  on  22  to 
26  scales;  head  4  in  length;  dark  olive  with  about  ten 
dark  dorsal  blotches,  and  as  many  dark  blue  or  blackish 
bars  along  the  sides;  the  belly  and  interspaces  between 
these  bars  are  of  a  clear  vermillion;  first  dorsal  bright 
blue,  with  a  broad  median  band  of  crimson;  other  fins 
mostly  barred;   D.  IX- 11;   A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  58.     North- 


PERCID.E. — XC.  229 

western  States,  Northern  Ohio  to  Minnesota;  abundant; 
a  most  brilliant  species. 

17.  MICROPERCA,  Putnam.  LEAST  DARTERS. 
1.  M.  punctulata,  Putnam.  LEAST  DARTER.  Greenish 
olive,  sides  with  irregular  dark  bars  and  zigzag  markings; 
dusky  lines  along  the  rows  of  scales;  a  dark  shoulder 
blotch;  a  black  streak  forward  from  eye  and  a  vertical 
bar  below  it;  D.  VI  to  VII— 9  to  12;  A.  II,  5  or  6; 
length  1£  inches.  Western  States. 

FAMILY  XC.— PERCID^E. 

(The  Perches.) 

Body  oblong,  more  or  less  compressed,  covered  with 
rather  small,  strongly  ctenoid  scales;  opercular  bones 
mostly  serrated;  teeth  in  villiform  bands  on  jaws,  vomer 
and  palatines;  mouth  slightly  oblique;  dorsals  two,  dis- 
tinct, both  well  developed;  ventrals  thoracic  I,  5;  anal 
with  one  or  two  spines;  branchiostegals  seven;  air  bladder 
present,  moderately  developed;  intestinal  canal  with  a 
few  pyloric  cceca.  Carnivorous  fishes  of  moderate  or 
rather  large  size,  chiefly  of  the  rivers  of  the  Northern 
Hemisphere.  As  here  restricted,  a  small  family  of  about 
five  genera  and  fifteen  species. 

*  No  canine  teeth  among  the  villiform  ones ;  body  compressed. 

PERCA,  1. 
**  With  strong  canine  teeth ;  body  elongated.   STIZOSTETHIUM,  2. 

1.  PERCA,  Linnaeus.     PERCHES. 

1.  P.  americana,  Schranck.  COMMON  YELLOW  PERCH. 
Olivaceous,  sides  yellowish,  with  broad  dark  bars;  head 
3£  in  length;  depth  about  the  same;  D.  XIII — 14;  A. 
II,  7;  lat.  1.  63.  Fresh  waters  E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  north- 
ward and  eastward,  [P.  flavescens  (Mit.)  Cuv.] 


230  FISHES. 

2.  STIZOSTETHIUM,  Rafinesque.     PIKE  PERCHES. 

*  Pyloric  coeca  three  only,  subequal,  all  long,  about  as  long  as  the 
stomach ;  soft  dorsal  nearly  as  long  as  spinous  dorsal ;  body 
more  or  less  compressed.  (Stizostethium.} 

1.  S.   vitreum,  (Mitch.)  Jordan  &  Copeland.     WALL- 
EYED PIKE.  "  SALMON."  "  DORY."  GLASS  -  EYE.  YELLOW 
PIKE.      Body  slender,  becoming  compressed  with  age, 
the  back  not  especially  depressed;  dorsal  spines  high,  more 
than  half  length  of  head;  eye  4£  to  5  in  head.     General 
color  a  heavy  olive,  finely  mottled  with  brassy;  a  large 
black  spot  on  last  rays  of  spinous  dorsal,  the  fin  other- 
wise nearly  or  quite  unmarked;  D.  XIII — 1;  21;  A.  II, 
12;  lat.  1.  90.     Size   very  large;    this  species  reaches  a 
length  of  nearly  three  feet,  and  a  weight  of  20  to  30  Ibs. 
Great  Lake  region  and  some  Atlantic  streams,  north  to  the 
Fur  Countries;  an  abundant  and  valued  food-fish.  (Luci- 
operca  americana,  Cuv.) 

Var.  salmoneum,  (Raf.)  Jor.  BLUE  PIKE.  "  WHITE 
SALMON."  Body  shorter,  thicker  and  deeper,  with  slen- 
derer caudal  peduncle;  mouth  smaller;  eye  larger;  dorsal 
spines  lower,  2£  in  head;  coloration  bluer,  with  silvery 
instead  of  brassy  mottlings;  fin  coloration  darker;  young 
pale,  with  traces  of  vertical  bars;  D.  XIV — 1,  20;  A. 
II,  13;  lat.  1.  95.  This  species  or  variety  is  very  similar 
to  the  preceding,  but  it  is  distinguished  at  sight  by  the 
fishermen,  and  seems  to  rarely  attain  a  length  of  more 
than  a  foot.  Lake  Erie,  Ohio  River,  and  South. 

**  Pyloric  coeca  4  to  7,  unequal,  all  small  (shorter  than  the 
stomach;)  soft  dorsal  much  shorter  than  spinous  dorsal; 
body  thick,  cylindric,  depressed  forwards,  (Cynoperca,  Gill 
&  Jordan.) 

2.  S.  canadense,  (Smith)  Jor.     SAUGER.     SAND  PIKE. 
GRAY  PIKE.     Body  little  compressed,  broad  across  the 
back  and  rather  depressed;    cheeks,  top  of  head,  etc., 


LABRACID^E. — XCI.  231 

usually  thickly  scaled;  colors  rather  paler  and  more 
translucent  than  in  S.  vUreum,  the  shades  less  blended; 
olive  gray,  sides  pale  orange  with  much  black  mottling, 
the  black  gathered  into  several  definite  dark  areas;  spin- 
ous  dorsal  with  two  or  three  rows  of  round  black  spots; 
a  large  black  blotch  at  base  of  pectorals;  dorsal  XII — 1, 
17;  A.  II,  12;  lat,  1.  95;  size  not  large;  length  12  to  15 
inches.  Ohio  River  and  Great  Lake  region  to  Upper 
Missouri;  a  strongly  marked  species.  (L.  grisea,  DeK., 
L.  borea,  Grd.) 

FAMILY  XCL— LABRACID^E. 

(Tlie  Bass.) 

Percoid  fishes  with  the  general  characters  of  the  pre- 
ceding family,  but  having  three  anal  spines,  the  verte- 
brae and  the  spines  of  the  dorsal  reduced  in  number, 
generally  nine  or  ten  of  the  latter;  teeth  on  the  tongue 
in  our  species.  Genera  fifteen;  species  thirty-five.  Mostly 
of  northern  regions,  the  majority  of  them  marine,  often 
entering  rivers. 

*  Base  of  tongue  with  a  patch  of  teeth;  scales  on  head  cycloid; 

dorsal  fins  not  connected Roccus.  1. 

**  Base  of  tongue  toothless ;  scales  on  head  ctenoid ;  dorsal  fins 
united  at  base ;  second  anal  spine  enlarged.    .    MORONE,  2. 

/.  ffOCCUS,  Mitchill.     STRIPED  BASS. 
<   Labrax,  Cuvier. 

*  Body  little  compressed ;  depth  less  than  i  of  length ;  teeth  on 

tongue  in  more  than  one  patch ;  chiefly  marine.     (Roccus.) 

1.  R.  lineatus,  (Bl.  &  Schn.)  Gill.  STRIPED  BASS. 
ROCK  FISH.  Silvery  or  yellowish,  with  seven  or  eight 
longitudinal  bands;  D.  IX— 1, 12;  A.  Ill,  11;  lat.  1.  62. 
Atlantic  Coast,  entering  rivers. 

**  Body  much  compressed ;  depth  more  than  i  of  length ;  teeth 
on  tongue  hi  a  single  patch ;  fresh  waters.     (Lepiberna,  Raf.) 


232  FISHES 

2.  R.  chrysops,  (Raf.)  Gill.  WHITE  BASS.  STRIPED 
LAKE  BASS.  Silvery,  with  six  or  more  dark  stripes, 
sometimes  "  so  interrupted  and  transposed  as  to  appear 
like  ancient  church  music."  D.  IX— 1,  12;  A.  Ill,  13; 
lat.  1.  55.  Great  Lakes,  Upper  Mississippi  Valley  and 
N.  (Labrax  multilineatus,  notatus,  albidus  and  osculatii 
of  authors.) 

2.  MORONE,   Mitchill.     WHITE  BASS. 
<  L/abrax,  Cuvier. 

1.  M.  americana,  (Gmel.)  Gill.    WHITE  PERCH.   Whit- 
ish, usually  faintly  striped;  depth  3  in  length;  D.  IX — I, 
12;  A.  Ill,  9;  lat.  1.  50.     Atlantic  Coast,  abundant  also 
in  fresh  water  ponds,  etc.,  coastwise;  variable.     (L.mu- 
cronatus,  rufus  a,ndpallidus,  of  authors.) 

2.  M.    /nferrupta,  Gill.      SHORT  -  STRIPED  OR  BRASSY 
BASS.       Silvery,    with    interrupted    black    stripes;     D. 
IX— 1,  13;  A.  Ill,  9.     Mississippi  Valley,  chiefly  south- 
ward.    (L.  chrysops,  Grd.,  not  of  Gill.) 

FAMILY  XCIL— CENTRARCHID^E. 

(The  Sun  Fishes.) 

Percoid  fishes  with  a  single  dorsal  fin,  either  continu- 
ous or  deeply  divided,  with  five  to  thirteen  spines;  anal 
fin  large,  with  three  to  nine  spines;  ventrals  thoracic,  I, 
5;  body  oblong,  more  or  less  elevated,  sometimes  much 
compressed;  opercular  bones  feebly  if  at  all  serrated, 
often  with  entire  edges;  scales  scarcely  ctenoid,  some- 
times cycloid;  cleft  of  mouth  more  or  less  oblique; 
branchiostegals  6;  villiforrn  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer  and 
usually  on  palatines;  many  species  with  a  small  super- 
numerary bone  lying  behind  the  maxillary  and  parallel 
with  it;  others  with  a  more  or  less  prolonged  flap  extend- 


CENTRARCHID^E. — XCII.  233 

ing  backwards  from  the  upper  angle  of  the  opercle; 
nearly  all  with  a  black  spot  at  this  point,  which  also 
covers  the  flap  if  the  latter  is  developed;  colors  usually 
brilliant,  chiefly  olive  green,  with  spots  or  shades  of  blue, 
yellow,  orange  or  violet.  Fresh  water  fishes;  many  of 
them  build  nests  which  they  defend  with  much  courage , 
all  are  carnivorous,  voracious  and  "gamey."  Genera 
about  sixteen;  species  sixty;  all  American,  and  most 
abundant  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  every  where  forming 
a  characteristic  feature  of  our  fish-fauna.  The  genera 
are  quite  well  known,  and  most  of  them  are  firmly  estab- 
lished; but  the  species  of  some  groups,  particularly 
Xenotis  and  Lepiopomus  are  in  a  state  of  almost  inex- 
tricable confusion. 

*  Dorsal  fin  much  more  developed  than  anal  fin  (the  base  of  the 
former  14-  to  3  times  that  of  the  latter),  the  soft  parts  of  the  two 
fins  about  equal,  of  8  to  14  rays,  and  ending  at  the  same  verti- 
cal behind. 

f  Body  elongate,  not  greatly  compressed ;  spines  little  developed, 
those  of  the  anal  fin,  three  in  number,  small  and  weak ; 
those  of  the  dorsal,  ten,  low,  the  eighth  and  ninth  quite  shorty 
so  that  there  is  a  deep  notch  between  the  spinous  and  soft 
parts  of  the  dorsal,  almost  breaking  the  continuity  of  the 
fin;  caudal  emarginate;  operculum  emarginate  behind, 
ending  in  two  flat  points;  mouth  very  large,  the  lower  jaw 
longest ;  palatine  teeth  well  developed ;  tongue  and  ptery- 
goids  toothless;  gill-rakers  long  and  stout,  armed  with 
teeth;  supplemental  maxillary  bone  well  developed  (Mi- 

cropterina). MICROPTERUS,  1. 

ff  Body  comparatively  short  and  deep,  compressed ;  anal  spines 
well  developed ;  dorsal  with  strong  spines,  which  are  con- 
tinuous with  the  soft  rays,  or  at  least  not  deeply  notched 
(Lep  iopomiiue). 

a.  Tongue  and  pterygoid  bones  conspicuously  armed  with 
teeth;  niouth  large,  lower  jaw  longest;  maxillary  bone 
broad  and  flat,  with  a  strong  supplemental  ossicle  behind 


234  FISHES. 

it;  palatine  teeth  well  developed;  gill-rakers  long  and 
strong,  provided  with  coarse  teeth ;  form  stout  and  heavy. 

Z>.  Operculurn  emarginate  behind ;  anal  spines  5  to  7. 
c.  Caudal  fin  emarginate ;  scales  ctenoid. 
d.  Tongue  with  a  single  median  patch  of  teeth ;  anal 
spines  normally  6;  dorsal  10  or  11.  AMBLOPLITES,  2. 
cc.  Caudal  fin  rounded  behind ;  scales  cycloid ;  anal  spines 

normally  5 ACANTHARCHUS,  3. 

bb.  Operculum  ending  behind  in  a  convex  "  flap,"  black  in 
color ,  anal  spines  3 ;  dorsal  10 ;  caudal  emarginate. 

CH^ENOBRYTTUS,  4. 
aa.  Tongue  and  pterygoid  bones  toothless ;  mouth  moderate  or 

small. 

d.  Operculum  ending  behind  in  an  entire  convex  process  or 
flap,  which  is  always  more  or  less  black ;  dorsal  fin 
not  notched;  dorsal  spines  normally  10;  anal  spines 
3,  the  soft  rays  in  each  fin  about  10  in  number;  caudal 
tin  emarginate. 

e.  Maxillary  with  a  supplemental  bone ;  gill-rakers  long, 
stout,  dentate;  mouth  rather  large,  the  lower  jaw 
protruding ;  palatine  teeth  present ;  spines  low ;  flap 

small APOMOTIS,  5. 

ee.  Maxillary  without  supplemental  bone ;  mouth  rather 

small,  with  subequal  jaws. 

/.  Lower  pharyngeal  bones  comparatively  narrow,  with 
the  teeth  all  conic  and  sharp,  the  outer  short  and 
small,  the  inner  long  and  pointed. 
g.  Gill-rakers  of  anterior  branchial  arch  more  or  less 
elongate,  ossified,  beset  with  small  teeth. 

LEPIOPOMUS,  6. 

gg.  Gill-rakers  undifferentiated,  all  short,   thickish, 

weak,  unossified,  provided  with  but  few  weak 

teeth ;  no  palatine  teeth ;  opercular  flap  alwaj's 

\  large,  often  greatly  developed;  coloration  bril. 

liant;  spines  low.      .        .        .        XENOTIS,  7. 

ff.  Lower  pharyngeal  bones  with  the  teeth  or  most  of 

them  rounded  or  truncate  above,  i.e.,  teeth  paved; 


CENTKAECHID^E. — XCH.  235 

palatine  teeth  little  developed,  or  more  usually 
wanting. 

h.  Lower  pharyngeals  narrow,  formed  as  in  Lepiopo- 
mus,  the  teeth  rounded,  not  truncate  above ;  gill- 
rakers  rather  long  and  slender;  spines  rather 
high.  ....  XYSTROPLITES,  8. 
Mi.  Lower  pharyngeals  broad,  concave,  with  large 
truncate  teeth  close  together;  gill-rakers  short 
and  thick,  more  or  less  strongly  dentate ;  spines 

high EUPOMOTIS,  9. 

dd.  Operculum  emarginate  behind,  ending  in  two  flat  points, 
with  a  dermal  border ;  caudal  fin  rounded  behind ;  gill- 
rakers  in  small  number,  long  and  strong,  dentate; 
species  of  small  size  and  brilliant  coloration. 

h.  Dorsal  fin  angulated,  the  middle  spines  longer  than 
some  of  the  posterior  ones ;  supplemental  maxillary 
wanting  ( ?  or  rudimentary) ;  anal  spines  3 ;  dorsal 
10 MESOGONISTIUS,  10. 

hh.  Dorsal  fin  continuous;  supplemental  maxillary  bone 

well  developed. 

i.  Dorsal  spines  9 ;  anal  3.        .       ENNE ACANTHUS,  11. 
ii.  Dorsal  spines  8 ;  anal  4.         .         HEMIOPLITES,  12. 
Hi.  Dorsal  spines  10;  anal  4;  anal  fin  with  an  elongate 
basis,  its  anterior  rays  being  advanced. 

COPELANDIA,    13. 

Dorsal  and  anal  fins  about  equal  in  extent,  the  soft  portions 
of  the  latter  longest  and  most  posterior,  the  two  fins  being 
obliquely  opposed ;  lower  jaw  longest;  supplemental  max- 
illary bone  present;  palatine  teeth  present;  operculum 
emarginate  behind ;  gill-rakers  setiform,  very  long,  finely 
dentate,  in  large  number  (20  to  30  of  the  large  ones  on  an- 
terior branchial  arch) ;  fins  large,  the  soft  rays  of  the  dorsal 
and  anal  each  with  14  to  18  rays ;  caudal  fin  emarginate ; 
scales  not  strongly  ctenoid  (Centrar 'china). 

i.  Spinous  dorsal  longer  than  soft  part,  the  spines  about  12  in 
number,  not  rapidly  graduated ;  anal  spines  normally  8 ; 
body  deep ;  mouth  moderate.  .  CENTRARCHUS,  14. 


236  FISHES. 

jj.  Spinous  dorsal  shorter  than  soft  part,  the  spines  5  to  8  in 
number,  rapidly  graduated ;  anal  spines  normally  6 ;  body 
compressed  and  rather  elongate ;  mouth  large. 

POMOXYS,   15. 

/.  MICROPTERUS,  Lacepede.     BLACK  BASS. 

>  Huro  and  Grystes,  C.  &  V. 

=•  CalliuruS)  Raf.  (not  of  Agassiz.) 

1.  HI.  pal  I  id  us,   (Raf.)   Gill  &  Jor.     LARGE- MOUTHED 
BLACK  BASS.     OSWEGO   BASS.     Dull  olive  green,  more 
or  less  spotted  when  young  but  not  barred;  usually  with 
an  irregular  dark  lateral  band,  and  three  oblique  stripes 
on  opercles;  ends  of  caudal  fin  blackish,  these  markings 
growing  obscure  with  age ;  3d  dorsal  spine  twice  as  high 
as  first;  notch  between  spines  and  soft-rays  deep;  eight 
rows  of  scales  between  lateral  line  and  dorsal;  anal  fin 
somewhat  scaly;  mouth  very  wide;  D.  X,  12;  A.  Ill,  10; 
lat.  1.  65  to  70.     Great  Lakes  and  rivers  of  the  West  and 
South,  abundant  in  most  regions,   and,   like  the  next, 
highly  valued  as  a  food  fish.     [Huro  nigricans,  C.  &  V. 
Gr.  nobilior  and  nigricans,  Agass.,  M.floridanus  (LeS.)] 

2.  M.  salmoides,  (Lac.)  Gill.    SMALL-MOUTHED  BLACK 
BASS.      Moss  BASS.     Dark  green;    young  brighter  and 
more  or  less   barred    and    spotted,  but  without  lateral 
band;  tail  yellow  at  base,  then  black,  and  edged  with 
white;    opercle  with  oblique   olivaceous    streaks;    third 
dorsal  spine  half  larger  than  first;    dorsal  notch  rather 
shallow;    scales  smaller  than  in  the  preceding— eleven 
rows  between   lateral   line   and  dorsal;  mouth  smaller; 
anal  nearly  scaleless;  D.  X.  13;  A.  Ill,  11;  lat.  1.  70  to 
80.     Great  Lakes  and  streams  from  L.  Champlain  S.  and 
W.;  common  in  N.  Y.  and  in  most  regions  west  of  the 
Alleganies;  introduced  eastward.     [G.  fasciatus,  (Les.) 


CENTRABCHIDJE. — XCH.  237 

Ag.  C.  obscurus,  DeK.  (young.)    3f.  achigan,  (Raf.)  Gill, 
etc.,  etc.] 

2.  AMBLOPLITES,  Rafinesque.     ROCK  BASS. 

<  C entrarchuSi  Cuvier. 

1.  A.  rupestris,  (Raf.)  Gill.      ROCK   BASS.      GOGGLE 
EYE.     RED  EYE.     Depth  about  half  length;  head  more 
than  one -third;    eye    nearly   four   in  head,  very  large; 
cheeks  scaly;  front  convex;  longest  dorsal  ray  two-thirds 
depth  of  head  at  front  of  orbit;  brassy  olive  with  golden 
green  and  blackish  markings;    a  dark  spot  at  base  of 
each  scale,  which  is  conspicuous  after  death,  giving  a 
striped  appearance;  D.  XI,  11;  A.  VI,  10;  lat.  1.  42;  L. 
8.     Great  Lakes  and  rivers  west  of  the  Alleganies;    an 
abundant  species.    [A.  ceneus,  (C.  &  V.)  Ag.     A.  ichthe- 
loides,  (Raf.)  Ag.] 

2.  A.  cavifronSf   Cope.      Depth   2^-  in  length;  mouth 
larger,  muzzle  more  projecting,  the  front  therefore  con- 
cave, cheeks  nearly  naked;    eyes  still  larger,  3  in  head; 
longest   dorsal  ray  equal  to  depth  of   head  at  front  of 
orbit;  silvery,  dusted  with  dark  points;  scales  with  dark 
shades;  D.  X,  12;  A.  VI,  11;  lat.  1.  38.     Roanoke  R. 

3.  ACANTHARCHUS,  Gill.     BASS  SUN  FISHES. 

<  Centrarchus,  Baird. 

1.  A.  pomoiis,  (Baird)  Gill.  MUD  Sux  FISH.  Ellip- 
tical; mouth  large;  dark  greenish  olive,  with  dull  yellow- 
ish markings  and  longitudinal  dusky  streaks;  opercles 
with  dusky  radiating  bars;  D.  XI,  12;  A.  V,  12;  L.  5. 
Muddy  streams  coastwise,  N.  Y.  to  S.  C. 

4.  CH/ENOBRYTTUS,  Gill.     WAR  MOUTHS. 

Galliums,  Ag. 

1.  C.  gulosus,  (C.  &  V.)  Gill.  BLACK  SUN  FISH. 
Dark  olive  green  above;  sides  greenish  and  brassy  with 


238  FISHES. 

blotches  of  pale  blue  and  bright  coppery  red — the  latter 
shade  predominating;  belly  bright  brassy  yellow,  pro- 
fusely mottled  with  bright  red;  lower  jaw  chiefly  yellow; 
iris  bright  red,  as  in  most  Sun  Fishes;  opercular  spot  as 
large  as  eye,  black,  bordered  with  copper  color;  three  or 
four  wide  dark  red  bands  radiating  backwards  from  eye 
across  cheeks  and  opercles,  separated  by  narrow  pale 
blue  ones;  upper  fins  barred  with  black,  orange  and  blue, 
the  former  color  predominating,  lower  fins  blackish; 
a  few  small  faint  black  spots  on  last  rays  of  dorsal ;  dorsal 
spines  moderately  high,  very  stout,  the  longest  as  long 
as  from  snout  to  middle  of  eye;  head  2f  in  length;  depth 
2£;  eye  as  long  as  snout,  4  to  5  in  head;  mucous  pores 
about  head  very  large;  body  very  robust,  broad  forwards, 
compressed  behind;  nape  rounded;  a  depression  over 
eye,  the  snout  projecting,  and  forming  an  angle;  fins 
rather  low,  with  stout  spines;  mouth  very  large,  with 
strong  teeth,  the  maxillary  bone  very  broad  and  flat, 
reaching  to  posterior  margin  of  eye;  tongue  with  one  or 
more  conspicuous  patches  of  teeth;  teeth  on  palatines; 
scales  large;  D.  X,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  lat.  1.  40.  Great  Lakes 
South  and  West;  a  fine  large  species  having  the  appear- 
ance and  dentition  of  Ambloplites,  but  with  three  anal 
spines  and  a  rounded  operculum  as  in  Apomotis.  (Ch. 
charybdis,  Cope,  C.  melanops^  Grd.)  In  spirits,  the 
coloration  is  very  dark. 

2.  C.  viridis,  (C.  &  V.)  Jordan.  RED-EYED  BREAM. 
WAR-MOUTH  PERCH.  Very  similar  to  C.  gulosus,  but 
differently  colored — olive  green,  with  blackish  spots  on 
ihe  scales,  and  more  or  less  reticulated ;  form  somewhat 
more  slender;  fins,  etc.,  the  same;  Virginia  to  Florida. 
(C.  gillii,  Cope.) 


CENTRABCHTD^E. — XCII.  239 

5.  APOMOTIS,  Rafinesque.     RED  EYES. 
(Telipomis,  Raf.,  Bryttus,  Cuv.  &  Val.) 

1.  A.  cyanellus,  (Raf.)  Jordan.     BLUE -SPOTTED  SUN 
FISH.     Dark  clear  olive-green,  each  scale  with  a  blue 
spot    and    more  or  less  of   gilt  edging,  the   body  thus 
appearing  more  or  less  striped  along  the  rows  of  scales; 
colors  variable,  golden  olive,  green  or  even  almost  blue; 
cheeks  with  bright  blue  horizontal  stripes;  body  more  or 
less    sprinkled  with    irregular  dark    dots;    vertical   fins 
marked  with  green  and   blue  and    more  or  less  edged 
with  pale  orange;  usually  a  distinct  black  dorsal   spot; 
opercular  spot  small,  with  brassy  edgings;  depth  2f  in 
length,  head  2^;  dorsal  spines  low  and  stout;  lat.  1.  48; 
L.  4  to  6.     Great  Lakes,  Ohio  Valley  and  W.,  abundant. 
(C.  longulus  and  C.formosus,  Grd.,  C.  mineopas  et  mel- 
anops,  Cope.) 

2.  A.  fjhenax,  Cope  &  Jordan.  Olive-green;  body  much 
deeper  and  more  compressed  than  in  A.  cyanellus;  depth 
£i  in  length;  spines  higher;  opercular  flap  rather  long; 
mouth    smaller,  the  jaws  nearly  equal;    lat.   1.  43,  the 
scales  therefore  larger.     New  Jersey.     Resembles  Lepi- 
opomus  rather  than  Apomotis. 

6.  LEPIOPOMUS,  Rafinesque.     SUN  FISHES. 
(Lepomis,  Ichthelis  and  Pomotis,  Raf.) 

*  Palatine  teeth  present;  usually  no  black  blotches  on  last  rays  of 
dorsal  and  anal.    (Lepiopomus.} 

1.  L.  macrochirus,  Raf.  CHAIN-SIDED  SUN  FISH. 
Bright  steel  blue,  with  many  bronze  orange  spots,  which 
cover  nearly  the  whole  surface,  so  arranged  that  the 
ground  color  forms  a  series  of  vertical  chain-like  bars, 
very  conspicuous  in  life;  vertical  fins  mottled  with 
bronze,  and  usually  more  or  less  edged  with  pale  orange; 


240  FISHES. 

no  black  dorsal  spot;  no  distinct  blue  cheek  stripes,. but 
sides  of  head  shaded  with  purplish;  body  rather  elon- 
gate; head  somewhat  acute;  opercular  spot  small;  depth 
2£  in  length;  head  nearly  3;  lat.  1.  42;  L.  3  to  4.  Ohio 
Valley.  A  small  species  and  one  of  the  handsomest; 
extremely  hardy  in  aquaria,  and  perhaps  the  most  vora- 
cious of  the  Sun  Fishes.  (L.  nephelus,  Cope.) 

2.  L.  bombifrons,  (Ag.)  Jor.    ROUND-FACED  SUN  FISH. 
Light  brown;  fins  pale,  unspotted;  belly  and  sides  dotted 
with  golden  orange;    head  much   broader,  deeper  and 
shorter  than  in  any  other  species;  the  profile  being  ex- 
ceedingly prominent,  the  forehead  strongly  arched,  and 
the  greatest  depth  immediately  over   the  opercle ;  flap 
very  short  and  small;  soft  rays  of  dorsal  much  higher 
than  spines;  depth  2J  in  length,  head  nearly  3.     Ten- 
nessee R.;  rare.     (May  be  a  Xenotis.) 

3.  L.    anagallinus,    Cope.      RED -SPOTTED  SUN  FISH. 
Dusky  bluish,  with  greenish  mottlings;  sides  with  many 
distinct,   rather   large,   salmon -red  spots;  belly  bright 
salmon-red;  opercular  flap  rather  large,  with  a  very  wide 
red  margin,  which  entirely  surrounds  the  black;  some- 
times a  black  dorsal  spot;  spines  rather  high;  depth  2^ 
in  length;  scales  large;    lat.  1.  33  to   36.     Arkansas  to 
Tenn.  and  Kas.;  a  small,  highly  colored  species. 

4.  L.  oculatus,  Cope.     Coloration  reddish,  unspotted; 
body  short  and  deep;  head  short;  caudal  peduncle  and 
fin  one-third  length  (more  than  one-third  in  L.  anagal- 
linus^ opercular  flap  large,  with  a  round  black  spot  as 
large  as  eye,  surrounded  by  a  broad  white  margin.  Min- 
nesota. 

5.  L.  auritus,   (L.)  Raf.      LONG -EARED  POND  FISH. 
RED-TAILED  BREAM.     SUN  PERCH.     Dusky  olive;  belly 
and  vertical  fins  largely  red;  sides  of  body  largely  blue, 


CENTRARCHEDJE. — XCII.  241 

with  rusty  red  spots;  blue  stripes  on  head;  spines  rather 
short;  body  rather  elongate;  opercular  flap  very  long, 
longer  than  any  in  other  species  except  the  southern 
Xenotis fallax,  and  extremely  narrow.  Maine  to  Ala- 
bama, east  of  the  Alleghenies,  abundant;  the  only  long- 
eared  Sun-fish  occurring  in  New  England.  A  large 
handsome  species,  known  at  once  by  the  peculiar  ear-flap. 
L.  6  to  10.  (jT.  rubricauda,  appendix,  etc.,  of  authors.) 

**  No  palatine  teeth ;  dorsal  spines  very  high ;  a  more  or  less  dis- 
tinct black  blotch  on  last  rays  of  dorsal  and  anal.  (Helioperca* 
Jor.) 

6.  L    pallidus,   (Mit.)   Gill  &  Jor.     BLUE  SUN  FISH. 
COPPER-XOSED  BREAM.    Olive  green,  adults  dark;  young 
more  or  less  silvery,  often  uniformly  so  in  spirits;  a  more 
or  less  distinct  purple  lustre  in  life;  sides  with  undulat- 
ing, sometimes    chain-like,    transverse    bars,  most  con- 
spicuous in  the  young;  a  black  spot  on  base  of  dorsal 
and  anal  behind;   no  blue  stripes  on   cheeks;    no  red 
on  fins;    opercular    flap    moderately    long  and  wide  in 
adults,  without  pale  edge,  very   short  in  young;    body 
deep,  compressed,  caudal  peduncle  rather  slender;  head 
3  in  length;    depth  about  2;    dorsal  spines  very  long; 
D.  X,  11;  A.  Ill,  10;  lat.  1.  40  to  45;  L.  8.     Great  Lakes 
to  Delaware  R.  (Abbott)  and  S.,  abundant.     A  large  and 
very  variable  species,  but  almost  always  recognizable  by 
the    characters  above  emphasized.      (L.  ardesiacus,  L. 
megalotis,  and  L.  purpurascens,  Cope,  Ichthelis  incisor, 
Auct.)     Adult  specimens  are  often  nearly  orbicular  and 
have  the  belly  coppery  red. 

7.  L.  ischyrus,  Jordan  &  Nelson.     A  large,  heavily- 
built  species,  similar  to  the  preceding  but  with  larger 
mouth,   shorter  spines  and  different  coloration;  top  of 
head  flat  and  short;   opercular  flap  large,  with   a  wide 

11 


242  FISHES. 

pale  margin  entirely  surrounding  the  black;  cheeks  with 
wide  blue  bands;  lower  jaw,  etc.,  dull  leaden  blue;  belly 
and  lower  fins  chiefly  orange.  Illinois  River. 

8.  L  obscurus,  (Agassiz)  Jor.  BLUE-MOUTHED  SUN 
FISH.  A  heavily-built,  dark-colored  species,  chiefly  blue 
and  coppery  red  in  life;  no  blue  stripes  on  cheek;  lower 
jaw  dark  leaden  blue;  opercular  spot  large,  without  dis- 
tinct pale  margin.  Cumberland  and  Tennessee  Rivers. 

7.  XENOTIS,  Jordan.    LONG -EARED  SUN  FISHES. 

1.  X.  megalotis,  (Raf.)  Jor.     BLUE  AND  OKANGE  SUN 
FISH.     SUN  PERCH.      Brilliant  blue  and  orange,  back 
chiefly  blue,  belly  entirely  orange,  the  orange   forming 
irregular,  longitudinal  rows  of  spots,  the  blue  in  wavy 
vertical  lines  along  the  edges  of  the  scales;  fins  with  the 
rays  blue  and  the  membranes  orange;  ventral  and  anal 
shaded  with  dusky  blue,  appearing  blackish  when  folded; 

flap  very  large,  with  a  broad  pale  edge  which  is  pink 
behind,  and  bluish  in  front;  lips  blue;  cheeks  with  bright 
blue  and  orange  stripes;  top  of  head  and  neck  blackish; 
eyes  bright  red;  spines  very  low,  lower  than  in  any  other 
species  of  this  genus;  the  longest  dorsal  spine  shorter  than 
from  snout  to  middle  of  eye;  occiput  depressed ;  profile 
high  and  strongly  curved;  depth  more  than  half  length; 
head  with  flap,  a  little  less;  e^e  1^-  in  flap;  pectorals  not 
reaching  vent;  lat.  1.  40.  Great  Lakes  and  Upper  Mis- 
sissippi River.  A  brilliantly  colored  species.  (P.  nitidus, 
Kirt.) 

2.  X.  sanguinolentus,  (Ag.)  Jor.      BLOODY  SUN  FISH. 
Similar,  but  rather  more   elongate;  the   spines   notably 
higher  and  the  blue  cross-bars  much  more  distinct.    Ten- 
nessee and  South,  perhaps  a  variety. 


CENTRARCHIDJ3. — XCLI.  243 

3.  X.  aureolus,  JOT.    GILDED  SUN  FISH.    Pale  olive, 
young   almost    translucent;    sides    and  fins   profusely 
speckled  with  golden  orange,  forming   bars  or   chains' 
orange  below;  cheeks  with  narrow  blue  horizontal  lines; 
no  dorsal  spots;  flap  moderate,  rather  narrow,  narrowly 
bordered  by  light j  forehead  regularly  convex,  the  bulk 
of  the    body  thrown  forward;   dorsal  spines  moderate; 
pectorals  nearly  reaching  anal;  ventrals  elongate;    head 
3  in  length,  depth  2^-;  eye  =  flap,  4  in  head;  lat.  1.  42. 
Ohio  Valley  and  W.,  abundant,  frequenting  small  streams 
in  company  with  the  next  species  and  with   Apomotis 
cyanellus. 

4.  /.  lythrochloris,  Jor.     RED  AND  GREEN  Sux  FISH. 
Form  of  Apomotis,  the  body  more  elongate  than  usual 
in  Xenotis;  spines  very   low;    green  above    with  blue 
spots;  belly,  cheeks  and  fins  generally  blood  red;  cheeks 
with  blue  lines;  opercular  flap  very^long,  entirely  black, 
without  any  pale  margin.    Ohio  Valley,  a  peculiar  species 
frequenting  small  brooks;  size  small.     (I.  auritus,  Raf., 
not  of  L.) 

5.  X.  inscr/ptus,  (Ag.)  Jor.     BLUE-GREEN  SUN  FISH. 
Dark  olive  green,  with  blue  shades;  many  scales  marked 
each  with  a  short  horizontal  black  line,  like  a  pencil  mark, 
these  forming  faint  stripes  along  the  sides  of  the  back; 
cheeks  with  blue  lines;  opercular  flap  moderate,  rather 
narrow,  directed  quite  obliquely  upwards^  bordered  above 
and  below  by  pinkish;  spines  long;  depth  2£  in  length. 
A  small  handsome  species,  abundant  in  the  Valley  of  the 
Ohio  and  S. 

6.  X.  peltastes,    (Cope)  Jor.      A   small   deep-bodied 
species,  with  large  scales;  caudal  fin  and  peduncle  more 
than  one -third  the  total  length;    golden   brown;  sides 
somewhat  spotted;  belly  and  vertical  fins  largely  orange; 


244  FISHES. 

flap  rather  long,  with  a  wide  red  border;  lat.  1.  35.    Mich- 
igan to  Illinois. 

8.  XYSTROPLITES,  Jordan.  SUN  FISHES. 
1.  X.  heros,  (B.  &  G.)  Jor.  A  species  bearing  mucK 
resemblance  to  Lepiopomus  pallidus,  having  the  same 
general  coloration,  the  black  dorsal  spot,  the  high  spines, 
etc.,  but  with  the  pharyngeal  teeth  more  or  less  paved,  and 
with  the  opercular  flap  broadly  tipped  with  pale  scarlet. 
Lower  Mississippi  Valley.  Pomotis  notatus,  Ag.,  from 
Tennessee  is  probably  the  same  species,  and  if  so,  the 
name  notatus  has  priority  of  date. 

9.  EU POMOTIS,  Gill  &  Jordan.     POND  FISHES. 
(Pomotis,  Auct.  not  of  Raf.) 

1.  £.  pallidus,   (Ag.)  Gill   &   Jor.      PALE  SUN  FISH. 
General  color  olivaceous,  with  faint  darker  bars;  spines 
high;  general  form,  color  and  appearance  of  Lepiopomus 
pallidus,  but  the  mouth  larger,  the  opercular  flap  broadly 
tipped  behind  and  below   with   scarlet,   and  the  lower 
pharyngeals  very  broad,   concave,   covered  with  large, 
paved  teeth.      The  gill-rakers  are  comparatively  short 
and  weak.     Illinois  to  Georgia  and  Louisiana. 

2.  E.  aureus,  (Walb.)  Gill  &  Jordan.      COMMON  SUN 
FISH.    PUMPKIN  SEED.    BREAM.    Depth  more  than  half 
length;    greenish    olive    above,    sides    orange  -  spotted; 
orange  yellow  below;    cheeks  orange    with    blue  wavy 
streaks;    ear-flap  rounded,  broadly  edged   with   scarlet 
below  and   behind;    lower   fins    orange,  upper  orange- 
spotted;  spines  rather  high;  D.  X,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;    lat.  1. 
37.    Great  Lakes  and  streams,  chiefly  northward  and  E. 
of  the  Alleganies;  our  most  familiar  species.     (P.  ma- 
culatus,  auritus  and  vulgaris  of  authors.) 


CENTRAKCHID^E. — XCII.  245 

10.  MESOGONISTIUS,  Gill.  BLACK-BANDED  SUN  FISHES. 
1.  M.  chatodon,  (Baird)  Gill.  BLACK -BANDED  SUN 
FISH.  Suborbicular;  depth  about  half  length;  spines 
long,  longest  equal  to  distance  from  snout  to  preopercle; 
eyes  large,  three  in  head ;  dirty  straw  color,  clouded  with 
olive;  sides  with  four  to  six  well-defined  black  vertical 
bars  running  up  on  the  fins;  first  through  eye,  last  at 
base  of  tail;  D.  X,  11;  A.  Ill,  12;  lat.  1.  28;  L.  3.  New 
Jersey  to  Maryland,  in  sluggish  waters;  a  small,  hand- 
some species,  known  at  once  by  its  peculiar  coloration. 

//.  HEMIOPLITES,  Cope.  FOUR  -  SPINED  SUN  FISHES. 
1.  H.  simulans,  Cope.  FOUK-SPINED  SUN  FISH.  Head 
2f  in  length,  depth  2^;  eye  3£  in  head;  bright  olive,  with 
dusky  stripes;  sides  and  cheeks  with  purple  reflections; 
D.  VIII,  11;  A.  IV,  10;  lat.  1.  30.  James  R.,  Va.  Re- 
sembles E.  obesus. 

12.  ENNEACANTHUS,&i\\.    NINE-SPINED  SUN  FISHES. 

*  Dorsal  and  anal  moderately  elevated  in  $. 

1.  E.    obesus,    (Baird)    Gill.       SPOTTED    SUN    FISH. 
Depth  about  half  length;   dark  olive  green,  with  eight 
strong  black  cross  bars  and  purplish  spots;  lateral  line 
usually  incomplete;  cheeks  with  lines  and  spots;  oper- 
cular  flap  velvet  black,  bordered  with  purple:    a  dark 
bar  below  eye;    D.  IX,  10;    A.  Ill,  10;    L.  3.     Streams 
coastwise  from  Mass.,  southward;  a  handsome  little  fish. 

2.  E.  margarotis,  Gill  &  Jordan.    BLUE-SPOTTED  SUN 
FISH.      Body    without    definite    blackish    cross-bars,   in 
males  covered  with  round  bright  sky-blue  spots;  a  pearly- 
blue  spot  on  opercle;  body  more  elongate  than   in  the 
others;  lateral  line  complete;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  lat. 
1.  30.     New  Jersey  to  N.  C.  abundant. 


246  FISHES. 

**  Dorsal  and  anal  fins  greatly  elevated,  in  $  reaching  middle  of 
caudal. 

3.  E.  pinniger,  Gill  &  Jordan.  LARGE  -  FANNED  SUN 
FISH.  General  color  of  preceding;  body  and  fins  in 
males  with  brilliant  blue  spots;  size  larger;  lateral  line 
complete;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill,  10;  lat.  1.  33.  Neuse 
River,  N.  C. 

13.  COPELANDIA,  Jordan.     COPELANDIA. 

1.  C.  eriarcha,  Jordan.  A  species  similar  in  appear- 
ance to  Enneacanthus  margarotis,  but  with  a  different 
number  of  spines,  a  rather  more  elongate  body  and  a 
more  advanced  anal,  which  is  reached  by  the  ventral 
spines;  D.  X,  9;  A.  IV,  8.  Menomonee  River,  near 
Milwaukee,  "Wis., — the  only  specimens  known  collected 
by  Dr.  P.  R.  Hoy;  a  singular  and  interesting  species, 
connecting  JEnneacantfius  with  Centrarchus. 

14.  CENTRARCHUS,  Cuvier.     MANY-SPINED  BASS. 

1.  C.  irideus,  (Bosc)  C.  &  V.     SHINING  BASS.    Bright 
green  with  dark  spots;  vertical  fins  mottled;  dorsal  with 
black  spot   behind,  which  is  sometimes    ocellated    with 
orange;  body  deep,  depth  half  length;  fins  comparatively 
low;  the  ventral  spine  less  than  half  length  of  head  and 
not  reaching  vent;    D.  XI,  12;    A.  VII,  14;    lat.  1.  44. 
Illinois  to  Va.  and  South,  chiefly  in  lowland  streams. 

2.  C.  macropterus,  (Lac.)  Jordan.    LONG-FINNED  SUN 
FISH.     Similar,  but  more  elongate,  depth  less  than  half 
length;  ventral  spine  more  than  half  length  of  head  and 
reaching  to  about  the  fourth  ray  of  anal;  mouth  and  eye 
larger  than  in  C.  irideus;  fins  much  higher;  D.  XII,  12; 
A.  VIII,  14;    lat.  1.  43,     With  the   preceding  but  less 
abundant. 


ELASSOMID.E. — XCLT.  247 

15.  POMOXYS,  Rafinesque.     GRASS  BASS. 
*  Dorsal  spines   normally  7;    body  muck  elevated;  depth  half 
length.    (Hyperistius,  Gill.) 

1.  P.  nigromaculatus,  (LeS.)  Grd.  GRASS  BASS.  CALICO 
BASS.     Depth  2  in  length;    head  nearly   3;   snout  pro- 
jecting, forming  an  angle  with  the  descending  profile; 
mouth  large,  very  oblique,  but  smaller  than  in  the  next; 
fins    very  large;    anal  larger  than  dorsal;    bright  olive 
green  and  silvery;     sides  and  fins  much   mottled;    the 
anal  fin  nearly  as  much  variegated  as  the  dorsal;  D.  VII, 
15;  A.  VI,  18;  lat.  1. 41 ;  L.  8.     Great  Lakes  to  Delaware 
R.  (Abbott]  and  S.  W.;  a  handsome  fish.  [P.  hexacanthus, 
(C.  &  V.)  Ag.] 

**  Dorsal  spines  normally  6;  body  less  elevated;  depth  about 
one-third  length.    (Pomoxys.) 

2.  P.    annularis,  Raf.      BACHELOR  (Ohio  R.)      NEW 
LIGHT  (Ky.)     CRAPPIE  (St.  Louis).     Depth  two -fifths  to 
one-third  length,  scarcely  greater  than  length  of  head; 
olivaceous,  silvery  below;  sides  with  irregular  clusters  of 
dark  spots;  the  lower  part  of  the  sides,  and  the  anal  fin 
usually  plain;  D.  VII,  (V  to  VII)  15;  A.  VI,  17;  lat.  1. 
43  (39  to  48),  L.  10.     Mississippi  Valley,  a  food  fish  of 
some  value;  abundant  and   exceedingly   variable.     (P. 
storerius^nitidus,  intermedius,  protacanthus   and   brevi- 
cauda  of  authors.) 

FAMILY  XCII.  (&.)-ELASSOMID^E. 

(The  Elassomes.) 

A  provisional  group  framed  for  the  reception  of  a 
single  species  whose  affinities  are  at  present  uncertain. 
It  includes  small  fishes  similar  in  appearance  to  Centrar- 
chidce,  but  without  lateral  line,  and  the  fins  little  devel- 
oped; the  scales  cycloid,  the  upper  jaw  extremely 
protractile  and  both  jaws  armed  with  strong  teeth;  no 


248  FISHES. 

vomerine  teeth  are  apparent,  and  the  number  of  branch- 
iostegals  appears  to  be  but  five.  The  vent  is  normal  in 
its  position.  On  account  of  the  small  size  of  the  only 
specimens  known,  the  character  of  the  pharyngeals  and 
of  the  nostrils — as  well  as  the  osteology  generally,  can 
not  be  ascertained. 

Its  nearest  relationships  appear  to  be  with  the  Aphodo- 
deridce.  Two  fossil  genera,  lately  described  by  Prof. 
Cope,  Erismatopterus  and  Amphiplaga,  are  perhaps 
allied  to  JElassoma. 

*  Mouth  small,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  the  longer;  jaws  apparently 
with  but  one  row  of  stout  conical  teeth ;  dorsal  spines  five ; 
anal  spines  three;  branchiostegal  membranes  broadly  con- 
nected across  the  chest;  body  elongate,  compressed:  caudal 
fin  rounded;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly;  bones  of  head  entire. 

ELASSOMA,  1. 

/.  ELASSOMA,  Jordan.  ELASSOMES. 
1.  E.  zonata,  Jordan.  Head  3  in  length;  depth  3J; 
olive  green,  finely  punctate,  sides  with  eleven  dark  verti- 
cal bands ;  a  distinct  round  black  spot  behind  the  shoulder, 
D.  V,  8;  A.  Ill,  6;  length  of  specimens  known,  one  inch. 
Lower  Mississippi  region  and  S.  W.;  specimens  seen 
from  Arkansas  and  Texas. 

FAMILY  XCIIL-APHODODERIOE. 

(The  Pirate  Perches.) 

Vent  anterior,  usually  in  front  of  the  ventral  fins;  dor- 
sal fin  single,  high,  with  but  three  or  four  spines;  ventrals 
thoracic,  without  spines  and  with  seven  soft  rays;  pre- 
orbital,  preopercle  and  other  bones  of  head  strongly 
serrated;  teeth  on  jaws  and  palate;  scales  ctenoid; 
branchiostegals  six;  coecal  appendages  about  twelve; 
air  bladder  simple. 


APHODODERID^E. — XC3H.  249 

The  two  species  known  inhabit  lowland  waters,  and 
are  remarkable  for  their  voracity  and  for  their  nocturnal 
habits.  The  unusual  position  of  the  vent  (as  in  Ambly- 
opsidce)  distinguishes  them  widely  from  the  Percoid 
fishes. 

The  relations  of  this  group  are  obscure.  It  much  re- 
sembles the  Haplomi,  and  is  perhaps  as  near  to  Umbridce 
as  to  Centrarchidce.  Although  the  vent  is  normally 
jugular,  specimens  occur  with  the  vent  variously  poster- 
ior. On  specimens  with  the  vent  between  the  ventral 
fins,  the  genus  Asternotremia,  Nelson  was  based.  Others 
have  the  vent  even  farther  back.  From  the  observations 
of  Prof.  S.  A.  Forbes,  it  appears  that  in  this  group  the 
position  of  the  vent  is  not  a  generic  character — not  even 
specific,  and  that  the  four  nominal  species,  Aphododerus 
say  anus  and  A.  cooltianus,  and  Aster  notremia  isolepis  and 
A.  mesotrema,  are  to  be  reduced  to  two  species  of  one 
genus. 

/.  APHODODERUS,  LeSueur.     PIRATE  PERCHES. 

1.  A.    say  anus,     (Gilliams)    DeK.      PIRATE    PERCH. 
Head   3^  in  length;    depth  3f ;  greenish  olive;    a  sub- 
orbital  bar,  and  dark  bars  at  base   of    caudal;    caudal 
rounded;  lower  jaw  longest;  D.  IV,  11;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1. 
48;  length  5  inches.     N.  Y.  to  La.,  in  brooks  near  the 
coast. 

2.  A.  isolepis,  (Nelson)  Jordan.     WESTERN    PIRATE 
PERCH.     A  species  very  similar  but  rather  larger,  with 
more  backward  dorsal  and  much  smaller  scales.     In  this 
species,  variations  in  the  position  of  the  vent  are  more 
common  than  in  the  other.     D.  Ill,  10;  A.  Ill,  6;  lat.  1. 
55  to  60.      Mississippi  Valley  and   tributaries  of  Lake 
Michigan;  abundant. 


250  FISHES. 

FAMILY  XCIV.-SCT^ENID^E. 

(The  Maigres.) 

Body  compressed,  often  elongate,  covered  with  ctenoid 
scales;  lateral  line  continuous,  often  running  up  on  the 
caudal  fin;  teeth  in  villiform  bands,  sometimes  with 
canines;  vomer  and  palate  toothless;  opercles  weakly  if 
at  all  serrated;  bones  of  skull  moro  or  less  cavernous, 
with  muciferous  system  highly  developed;  chin  usually 
with  pores  or  barbels;  lower  pharyngeals  distinct,  except 
in  Haploidonotus  and  its  relatives,  where  they  are 
firmly  united  (pharyngognathous)  as  in  the  Labridce; 
dorsals  two,  distinct  or  slightly  connected,  the  soft  part 
most  developed;  vertical  fins  usually  scaly;  ventrals 
I,  5,  thoracic;  anal  spines  generally  1  or  2;  air  bladder 
large  and  often  complicated  (rarely  wanting);  stomach 
coecal,  with  a  few  pyloric  appendages. 

Chiefly  marine,  in 'temperate  and  warm  regions,  the 
following  only  in  fresh  water.       Genera  about  twenty; 
species  one  hundred  and  ten,  numerous  on  our  coasts: 
*  Lower  jaw  shorter,  received  within  the  upper;  both  jaws  fully 
provided  with  teeth ;  no  canines ;  lower  pharyngeals  united. 
(HAPLOIDONOTTSLE.) 

f  Body  moderately  elevated;    depth  about  one  third  length; 
caudal  double-truncate,  slightly  prolonged  behind. 

HAPLOIDONOTUS,  1. 

ft  Body  greatly  elevated  at  the  shoulders ;  depth  nearly  half 
length ;  caudal  truncate,          .        .       EUTYCHEHTHUS,  2. 

/.  HAPLOIDONOTUS,  Rafinesque.     BUBBLERS. 

=  Amblodon,  Raf. 

1.  H.  grunniens,  Raf.  SHEEPSHEAD  (Lakes).  WHITE 
PERCH.  GRUNTER.  DRUM.  Depth  3  in  length;  head  3^; 
back  elevated  forwards,  and  much  compressed;  spines 
strong;  first  anal  spine  short;  the  second  very  large, 


COTTID^E. — XCV.  251 

attached  to  a  stout  bone;  grayish  silvery,  dusky  above; 
scales  rather  large  and  irregularly  placed,  punctate  with 
black;  D.  IX— I,  30;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  54.  Great  Lakes, 
Mississippi  Valley,  etc.,  abundant.  (Corvina  oscula  and 
C.  grisea,  of  authors.)  Three  other  species  of  this  genus 
have  been  described  but  their  validity  is  extremely 
doubtful.  Southward  this  species  is  considerably  valued 
as  food,  but  in  the  Great  Lakes  its  flesh  is  ill-scented 
and  worthless.  The  large  "  ear-bones  "  of  this  species 
are  marked  with  a  rude  " L"  and  are  highly  valued  by 
Wisconsin  boys  as  "  lucky  stones." 

2.  EUTYCHELITHUS,  Jordan.     LAKE  HURON  DRUMS. 

1.  E.  richardsonii,  (C.  &  V.)  Jordan.  MALASHEGANAY. 
LAKE  DRUM.  Head  and  shoulders  much  elevated;  pro- 
file very  steep;  eye  moderate;  mouth  rather  large;  the 
lower  jaw  rather  projecting;  head  nearly  one-third  of 
length;  depth  about  one-half;  anal  spine  stout  (single?), 
one-third  shorter  than  the  soft  rays;  pectorals  pointed, 
much  longer  than  the  ventrals;  opercular  bones  all  finely 
serrated;  greenish  with  dark  bands  on  the  back;  D. 
IX  — I,  29;  A.  I,  7;  lat.l.  54.  Lake  Huron.  (I  retain 
this  genus  with  much  doubt.  No  specimens  except  the 
original  type  are  known,  and  this  may  have  been  merely 
a  monstrosity  of  the  ordinary  Haploidonotus  grunniens.) 

FAMILY  XCV.— COTTID^E. 

(The  Sculpins.) 

Fishes  with  the  cheeks  mailed  (i.  e.,  the  suborbital  bone 
extending  backward  over  the  cheeks,  articulating  with 
the  preopercle);  head  broad,  usually  not  externally  bony, 
but  always  more  or  less  spinous;  eyes  high  up,  near 
together;  body  sometimes  scaly,  or  with  a  series  of  bony 
plates,  naked  in  all  our  species;  dorsals  usually  two, 


252  FISHES. 

soft  dorsal  largest;  pectorals  large,  without  detached 
rays;  ventrals  thoracic,  near  together,  usually  imperfect, 
but  developed  in  all  our  species;  air  bladder  usually 
absent.  Genera  about  twenty;  species  about  70.  Mostly 
of  the  shores  of  northern  regions;  several  small  species 
abounding  in  the  fresh  waters  of  Europe,  Asia  and  North 
America.  In  habits  these  fresh  water  species  bear  a 
strong  resemblance  to  the  Etheostomoids.  All  of  them 
are  singular  looking  fishes,  and  many  of  the  marine 
species  are  hideous  in  appearance. 

OBS. — In  the  measurements  given  below,  the  total  length  of  the 
body  is  understood  inclusive  of  the  caudal  fin,  not  to  base  of  caudal 
as  in  other  cases. 

*  Second  dorsal  moderately  elevated,  not  remote  from  the  first; 

preopercle  with  1  to  3  spines. 

f  No  teeth  on  the  palate  (pharyngeal  teeth  present,  as  usual) ;  ven- 
trals 1,  3;  size  small  (length  2  to  3  inches).      URANIDEA,  1. 
ft  Palate  with  teeth;  ventrals  1,4;  size  usually  larger  (length 

3  to  C  inches). 

^  Skin   smooth,  excepting  usually  a  small  patch  of  minute 

spines  in  the  axils  of  the  pectorals.       POTAMOCOTTUS,  2. 

\\  Skin  beset,  especially  above  the  lateral  line,  with  small 

hooked  prickles;  preopercle  armed  with  a  strong  sharp 

spine,  curved  like  a  cow's  horn ;  back  sub-carinate ;  caudal 

peduncle  slender TAUIUDEA,  3. 

***  Second  dorsal  very  high,  widely  separated  from  the  first ;  pre, 
opercle  with  4  needle-like  spines.      .        .        TRIGLOPSIS,  4. 

/.   URANIDEA,  DeKay.     MILLER'S  THUMBS. 
<  Coitus,  Girard. 

*  Slender,  fusiform  species ;  depth  6  to  6£  in  length. 

1.  U.  gracilis,  (Heckel)  Putnam.  MILLER'S  THUMB. 
LITTLE  STAR  GAZER.  Tips  of  pectorals  reaching-  fourth 
ray  of  second  D.,  and  first  of  anal;  head  4  in  total 
length;  eye  4  in  head;  grayish,  mottled.  D.  VIII — 16; 


COTTID^E. — XCY.  253 

A.  11  or  12.  New  England  and  New  York;  the  common 
Eastern  species,  found  "  quiescent "  under  stones,  after 
the  manner  of  the  Darters.  (U.  quiescens,  DeK.)  \_U. 
boleoides  (Grd.),  from  Vermont,  is  said  to  be  slenderer, 
and  with  larger  fins.  U.formosa,  (Grd.)  from  stomachs 
of  Lota,  in  deep  water,  L.  Ontario,  is  more  elongate,  with 
shorter  fins;  it  needs  further  examination.  T7.  gobioides, 
(Grd.)  is  larger,  much  stouter  and  with  larger  mouth.  It 
is  from  La  Moille  R.,  W.  Vt.] 

2.  U.  kumlieni,  Hoy.  KUMLIEN'S  COTTUS.  A  slender 
species,  with  the  head  3^-  in  length  (without  caudal); 
pectorals  falling  just  short  of  anal;  preopercular  spine 
large,  directed  upwards  and  backwards,  not  much  hooked; 
dorsals  and  anal  high;  D.  VI — 17;  A.  12.  Lake  Michi- 
gan— in  deep  water. 

**  Stouter ;  depth  about  5£  in  total  length. 

2.  U.   viscosa,  (Haldeman)  Cope.     SLIPPERY  MILLER'S 
THUMB.      Pectorals    scarcely    reaching   second    dorsal; 
head    4^-   in    total    length;    eye  5  in  head;    body   sub- 
cylindrical,  covered  with  a  viscid  skin;  dusky,  mottled; 
D.  VIII— 17;  A.  12.     Streams  of  Penn.,  Md.,  Va.,  etc., 
frequent,  often  found  in  caves.     (C.  copei,  Abbott.) 

3.  U.  franklini,  (Ag.)  Jordan.      FRANKLIN'S    COTTUS. 
Pectorals  scarcely  reaching  second  dorsal;    first  dorsal 
scarcely  lower  than  second;  head  3|  in  total  length;  eye 
4J  in  head;  D.  VIII— 17;  A.   12.      S.  and  E.  shores  of 
L.  Superior. 

4.  U.  hoyi,  Putnam.    HOY'S  BULL-HEAD.    Body  small, 
short  and  thick;  head  3^-  in  length,  without  caudal;  pre- 
opercle  with  a  prominent,  sharp,  straight  spine  directed 
backwards;  below  this  a  prominent  spine  directed  down- 
wards, and  one  or  two  minute  spines  still  lower;  mouth 


254  FISHES. 

contracted,   with  the  lower  jaw  projecting;    eyes  very 
large  3f  in  head;  ventral  fins  long,  reaching  about  to- 
vent;    D.  VI— 15;   A.  11;  L.  2J.     Lake   Michigan  —  in 
deep  water. 

2.  POTAMOCOTTUS,  Gill.     BLOBS. 

1.  P.  meridionalis,  (Grd.)   Gill.      CAVE   BULL-HEAD. 
GOBLIN.    BLOB.     MUFFLE- JAWS.     Head  3^-  in  length; 
depth  5;  width  of  head  3^-;  P.  reaching  beyond  begin- 
ning of  soft  dorsal,  to  anal;  preopercle  with  a  stout  erect 
spine  and  two  smaller  ones  below;  mouth  wide;  palatine 
teeth  unusually  strong;  lateral  line  very  distinct,  chain- 
like,  sometimes  vanishing   behind,  and   sometimes  not. 
Grayish,  mottled,  three  cross  blotches  on  back;  D.  VI  to 
VIII-16;    A.  12  or  13;    V.  1,  4.     N.  C.  to  Ala.,  Term., 
and  Ind.,  abounding  in  many  of  the  streams  issuing  from 
the  caves  in  the  limestone  region;    the    largest  species 
of  the  genus,  reaching  a  length  of  6  inches.  (C.  merid- 
ionalis, Grd.    P.  carolince,  Gill.,  P.  zopherus,  Jor.) 

2.  P.  richardsonii,  (Ag.)  Gill.     LAKE  SUPERIOR  MIL- 
LER'S  THUMB.      Pectorals  shorter   than    head,   scarcely 
reaching  second  dorsal;  depth  6  in  total    length;  head 
4£ ;  eye  5-J-  in  head;  vent  near  the  middle  of  total  length; 
D.  VIII  — 18;  A.  14.      L.    Superior;  one  of  the  largest 
species. 

3.  P.    bairdii,  (Girard)  Gill.      BAIRD'S    BULL -HEAD. 
Pectorals    long,    reaching    beyond    beginning    of    anal; 
depth  6  to  6£  in  total  length;  spinous  dorsal  very  low, 
with  a  black  bar;    head  4£  in  length;    eye  4  in  head; 
D.  VI  to  VII— 16;  A.  13.     Ohio,  etc. 

4.  P.  alvordii,  (Grd.)  Gill.  Similar  to  the  preceding  but 
stouter,  with  the  pectorals  rather  shorter,  and  the  dorsal 
spines  higher,  7  or  S  in  number;  color  dark,  variegated; 


COTTIDJ3. — XCV.  255 

spinous  dorsal  with  two  black  spots;  D.  VII — 16;  A.  13. 
Rivers,  Mich,  to  Ills,  and  Minn. 

5.  P.  wilsoni,  (Grd.)  Gill.  WILSON'S  BULL -HEAD. 
Rather  larger  than  the  last;  spinous  dorsal  higher;  and 
the  upper  rays  of  the  pectoral  fins  branched;  Pennsyl- 
vania to  Indiana. 

3.   TAURIDEA,  Jordan  &  Rice.      Cow  -  FACED 

SCULPINS. 

1.  T.  spilota,  (Cope)  Jordan  &  Rice.  RICE'S  SCULPIN. 
Head  and  body  elongate,  depressed;  head  3f  in  length; 
without  caudal ;  body  abruptly  contracted  opposite  base 
of  anal,  forming  an  extremely  slender  caudal  peduncle; 
head  very  broad  and  flat,  as  broad  as  long;  the  profile 
rising  rapidly  from  occiput  to  dorsal,  which  runs  along  a 
sort  of  keel;  eyes  close  together,  entirely  superior;  pre- 
opercular  spine  extremely  large,  hooked  backwards,  and 
slightly  spiral,  giving  to  the  physiognomy  a  wonderful 
resemblance  to  that  of  a  cow;  three  spines  hooked  down- 
wards below  the  large  one,  the  lower  concealed;  base 
of  opercle  with  a  strong  spine  directed  downwards;  head 
smooth;  space  above  lateral  line  behind  head  covered 
with  small  stiff  prickles,  visible  as  small  black  specks 
when  the  skin  is  dry;  no  spines  in  the  axillary  region; 
coloration  quite  unlike  that  of  our  other  Cottoids;  pale 
brown,  finely  speckled  and  mottled  with  darker;  belly 
white;  D.  VIII— 17;  anal  12;  ventrals  I,  4.  Lake  Michi- 
gan and  tributaries — in  deep  water.  (Cottopsis  ricei, 
Nelson;  Uranidea  spilota,  Cope.)  This  species  has 
been  thus  far  referred  to  as  a  Cottopsis,  but  it  has  little 
affinity  with  C.  asper.  Cottopsis  has  essentially  the 
character  of  Potamocottus,  but  the  skin  above  is  densely 
villous,  covered  thickly  with  short  velvety  projections. 


256  FISHES. 

In  Tauridea,  the  prickles  are  much  less  numerous, 
but  are  longer  and  stiffer.  The  coloration  and  form  of 
the  body  are  essentially  the  same  in  Cottopsis  and  Pota- 
mocottus,  in  Tauridea,  quite  different.  Perhaps  these 
three  genera  should  all  rather  be  considered  as  sub- 
generic  sections  of  Uranidea. 

3.   TRIG  LOPS  IS,  Girard.     LAKE  SCULPINS. 

=  Ptyonotus,  Giinther. 

1.  T.  ihompsoni,  Grd.     DEEP  WATER  LAKE  SCULPIN. 
Body  elongate;  depth  7  in  total  length;    head  3£;  eyes 
very  large,  4  in  head;  D.  VI  — 18;  A.  15.     Great  Lakes 
(L.  Ontario,  L.  Michigan)    in    deep    water;    till   lately 
known  only  from  remains  found  in  the  stomachs  of  Lake 
Trout  and  Ling. 

2.  T.  stimpsoni,   Gill.    Mss.      A  species   bearing  the 
above  name  inhabits  the  deep  waters  of  Lake  Michigan. 
It  is  hoped  that  some  one  may  obtain  it,  in  order  that 
a  description  may  be  published. 

FAMILY  XCVL— GOBIIDJ3. 

(The  Gobies.) 

Body  elongated,  low,  naked  or  scaly;  dorsals  two, 
sometimes  united,  the  spines  flexible  and  less  developed 
than  the  soft  rays;  anal  similar  to  soft  dorsal ;  ventrals 
1,  5  (rarely  1,  4),  sometimes  united,  forming  a  disk;  gill 
openings  narrow;  teeth  generally  small;  a  prominent 
papilla  near  the  vent,  as  in  the  Blennies;  air  bladder 
usually  wanting;  no  pyloric  appendages.  Genera  thirty; 
species  three  hundred  and  twenty-five.  Of  the  seas  of 
temperate  and  tropical  regions,  found  on  the  bottoms 
near  the  shore.  A  few  species  inhabit  both  salt  and 
fresh  water. 
*  Body  naked;  ventrals  united.  .  .  .  GOBIOSOMA,  1. 


GADID^E. — XCVH.  257 

7.  GOBIOSOMA,  Girard.     NAKED  GOBIES. 
1.    G.    molesta,    Grd.       Dusky    brown;    head     34-   in 
length;    D.  VII — 12;    A.  12.     Coast  of  Texas,  entering 
rivers.      A  single  specimen  in  the  Museum    of  Comp. 
Zoology  from  the  Ohio  R.,  near  Louisville  (Putnam.) 


SUB  -  ORDER-A]^AC  A 

(The  Jugular  Fishes.) 

FAMILY  XCVII.-GADID^E. 

(The  Cod  Fishes.) 

Body  elongated,  covered  with  small  smooth  scales; 
dorsal  fins  1,  2  or  3,  occupying  most  of  the  back;  rays 
of  posterior  part  well  developed;  vertical  fins  never 
entirely  united  (as  in  some  related  families);  ventrals 
jugular,  usually  several-rayed;  gill  openings  wide;  air 
bladder  usually  present;  no  pseudobranchiag;  pyloric 
cceca  usually  in  large  numbers  (30  or  more  in  Lota). 
Genera  about  twenty-five;  species  about  seventy.  An 
important  family,  found  chiefly  in  the  northern  seas;  a 
single  genus  inhabiting  the  lakes  and  larger  streams  of 
the  northern  parts  of  Europe  and  America. 

*  Chin  with  a  barbel ;  dorsals  2 ;  anal  single ;  teeth  villiform. 

LOTA,  1. 

/.  LOTA,  Cuvier.     LINGS. 

1.  L.  lacustris,  (Walb.)  Gill.  LING.  BURBOT.  LAKE 
LAWYER.  EEL-POUT.  LAKE  CUSK.  Dark  olive,  thickly 
marbled  with  blackish;  yellowish  or  dusky  beneath;  head 
broad,  depressed;  body  sub-cylindrical  in  front,  com- 
pressed behind;  upper  jaw  (usually)  longest;  D.  13 — 76; 
A.  08;  V.  7;  length  1£  to  2£  feet.  Great  Lakes  and 
streams  of  New  England,  north  to  the  Arctic  Circle, 
17 


258  FISHES. 

abundant;  rather  rare  in  the  Miss.  Valley.  A  curious  fish, 
rarely  used  for  food,  although  the  livers  are  said  to  be 
delicious.  \L.  maculosa,  (Les.)  Cuv.  L.  compressa, 
(Les.)  and  L.  brosmiana,  Storer.  L.  inornata,  DeK., 
etc.]  The  common  European  species  (L.  vulgaris^ 
Cuv.)  seems  to  be  the  same,  but  the  American  name, 
lacustris,  is  the  older. 


SUB  -  OEDEE.  -  HEMIBE  ANGH1. 

(The  Half-Oilled  Fishes.) 

FAMILY  XCVIIL-GASTEROSTEIDJE. 

(The  Sticklebacks) 

Small  fishes  with  the  body  elongated  and  compressed; 
caudal  peduncle  very  slender;  mouth  large,  with  the  cleft 
oblique;  villiform  teeth  on  jaws  and  pharyngeals;  bran- 
chiostegals  three;  opercles  unarmed;  sub-orbital  bone 
articulated  with  the  preopercle  (as  in  Cottidce,  with 
which  these  fishes  were  formerly  associated) ;  skin  naked 
or  with  bony  plates;  dorsal  preceded  by  two  or  more 
isolated  spines;  ventrals  abdominal,  of  a  stout  spine, 
accompanied  by  a  rudimentary  ray;  air  bladder  simple; 
a  few  pyloric  caeca.  Genera  about  five;  species  twenty- 
five  or  less,  in  fresh  waters  and  arms  of  the  sea  in  north- 
ern Europe  and  America. 
*  Dorsal  with  2  to  6  free  spines. 

t  Sides  mailed ;  a  serrated  bony  ventral  cuirass  and  usually  a 
bony  caudal  keel ;  dorsal  spines  not  in  a  right  line. 

GASTEROSTEUS,  1. 
ft  Sides  naked;  no  caudal  keel;  ventral  cuirass  reduced,  not 

serrated. 

ft  Dorsal  spines  not  in  a  right  line  when  erected,  the  anterior 
ones  highest;  ventral  plates  2  —  not  on  median  line, 
caudal  peduncle  very  slender.  ,  .  APELTES,  2. 


GASTEKOSTEID^E. — XCVILT.  259 

\\  Dorsal  spines  in  the  same  line,  the  lowest  in  front ;  ventral 
plate  single,  on  the  middle  line  of  abdomen;  caudal 

peduncle  stouter EUCALIA,  3. 

**  Dorsal  spines  7  or  more ;  sides  mailed  or  not ;  dorsal  spines 

not  in  a  right  line PYGOSTEUS,  4. 

/.  GASTEROSTEUS,  Linnaeus.      MAILED  STICKLEBACKS. 
1.  G.  noveboracensis,  C.  &  V.     NEW  YORK  STICKLE- 
BACK.     Maine  to  Cape  Hatteras,  coastwise;    sometimes 
ascending  streams. 

2.  APELTES,  DeKay.     NAKED   STICKLEBACKS. 

<  Gasterosteus,  L. 

1.  A.  quadracus,  (Mitch.)  Brevoort.  FOUR  -  SPIKED 
STICKLEBACK.  Abundant,  with  the  preceding. 

2.  EUCALIA,  Jordan.      NEST  -  BUILDING  STICKLEBACKS. 

1.  E.  inconstans,  (Kirtland)  Jordan.  BROOK  STICKLE- 
BACK. OHIO  STICKLEBACK.  Head  about  3^-  in  length; 
depth  nearly  4;  spines  rather  low;  ventral  spine  about 
equal  to  eye;  color  olivaceous,  marbled  with  darker; 
males  in  spring  jet  black,  finely  punctate;  D.  Ill  to 
V — I,  10;  A.  I,  10;  length  2£  inches.  Ohio  to  Minne- 
sota and  Kansas,  chiefly  northward;  abundant  in  sluggish 
streams;  an  interesting  species,  remarkable  for  its  pug- 
nacity and  for  its  nest-building  habits. 

Var.  pygmcea,  ( Agassiz )  Jordan.  LAKE  SUPERIOR 
STICKLEBACK.  Depth  3f  in  length;  head  3|;  caudal 
peduncle  short  and  stout;  body  shorter  and  deeper  than 
in  the  preceding;  vent  much  nearer  tip  of  caudal  than 
snout;  color  similar;  D.  Ill  or  IV  — I,  6;  A.  I,  6.  L. 
Superior. 

Var.  cayuga,  Jordan.  CAYUGA  LAKE  STICKLEBACK. 
Head  3-J-  in  length;  depth  4^;  spines  all  high;  caudal 


260  FISHES. 

peduncle  slender;  vent  much  nearer  snout  than  tip  of 
caudal;  D.  IV— I,  10;  A.  I,  10.  Cayuga  L.,  N.  Y., 
dredged  in  deep  water  (Wilder).  Probably  this  and  the 
preceding  are  varieties  of  the  variable  E.  inconstant. 
Length  1^  inches. 

4.  PYGOSTEUS,  Brevoort.  MANY-SPINED  STICKLEBACK. 

1.  P.  occidentalis,  (C.  &  V.)  Brevoort.     TEN  -  SPINED 
STICKLEBACK.     Coastwise,  abundant;  sometimes  ascend- 
ing streams. 

Var.  nebulosus,  (Ag.)  Jordan.  MANY-SPINED  LAKE 
STICKLEBACK.  Head  3£  in  length;  ventral  spine  long; 
caudal  keeled;  sides  not  mailed;  silvery,  much  clouded 
with  olive;  D.  IX — 10;  A.  I,  8.  Great  Lakes  (not 
distinct  from  preceding  except  in  its  fresh- water  habits.) 

2.  P.  mainensis,  (Storer)  Brev.     MAINE  STICKLEBACK. 
Sides  with  a  serrated  plate;  body  banded;  D.  VII — I,  9; 
A.  1,  8.     Kennebec  R.,  Maine. 


SUB-ORDER-PERCESOCES. 

(The  Silversides.) 

FAMILY  XCIX.-ATHERINIDJ3. 

(The  Silver  sides.} 

Body  elongated,  more  or  less  compressed,  covered 
with  rather  small  cycloid  scales;  sides  with  a  bright 
distinct  silvery  band  in  all  known  species;  dorsal  spines 
flexible  arid  feeble;  teeth  small,  numerous.  Small,  car- 
nivorous fishes  of  warm  regions,  usually  swimming  in 
schools  near  the  shore;  a  few  species  in  permanently 
fresh  water.  Genera  about  five;  species  forty -five. 


CYPKINODONTID^E. — C.  261 

Besides  the  following  strictly  inland  species,  the  common 

Dotted   Silverside   [Chirostoma  notatum   (Mitch.)  Gill] 

ascends  rivers  from  the  sea. 

*  Mouth  very  oblique;  the  upper  jaw  plane  above,  concave  within ; 
the  lower  jaw  correspondingly  convex,  the  protractile  inter 
maxillaries  forming  a  peculiar  roof-like  beak. 

LABIDESTHES,  1. 

/.  LABIDESTHES,  Cope.     RIVER   SILVERSIDES. 

1.  L.  sicculus,  Cope.  SILVER  SKIP -JACK.  RIVER 
SILVERSIDE.  Depth  6  in  length;  head  4£;  eye  3-£  in 
head;  anal  long,  nearly  one-third  of  length  of  body; 
scales  small;  pale  olive,  translucent,  dotted  with  black, 
the  silver  lateral  band  very  distinct;  D.  IV— 11;  A.  I,  23; 
lat.  1.  75;  length  3  to  4  inches.  Western  streams  and 
ponds,  Mich,  to  Ills,  and  Tenn.;  abundant  where  found, 
but  not  noticed  till  comparatively  lately.  A  very  slender 
and  elegant  species  of  delicate  organism.  The  peculiar 
"  duck-like  muzzle  "  is  said  to  resemble  that  of  some 
Cyprinodonts,  especially  the  Central  American  Belone- 
sox. 


SUB  -  OEDER-HAPLOMI. 

(The  Tootlied  Minnows) 

FAMILY  C.-CYPRINODONTID^E. 

(The  Cyprinodonts.} 

Head  and  body  scaly;  no  barbels;  margin  of  upper 
jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  only;  teeth  in  both  jaws 
and  on  pharyngeals  well  developed;  dorsal  fin  far  back; 
caudal  usually  rounded;  no  adipose  fin;  lateral  line  rudi- 
mentary; air  bladder  simple;  no  pyloric  cceca;  head 
more  or  less  flattened  above,  the  lower  jaw  usually 
longer;  sexes  commonly  unlike,  the  female  larger;  anal 


262  FISHES. 

of  male  often  modified  into  a  sword-shaped  intromittent 
organ;  chiefly  viviparous. 

Small  fishes  of  fresh  or  brackish  waters  in  both  con- 
tinents; most  abundant  in  warm  regions.  Genera  twenty- 
five;  species  one  hundred  and  twenty.  A  recently  dis- 
covered Cyprinodont  (Protistius,  Cope)  from  S.  A.  is 
said  to  have  a  rudimentary  spinous  dorsal  fin,  indicating  a 
close  relationship  between  this  family  and  the  Percesoces. 

Our  numerous  species  are  not  well  known,  and  the 
current  genera  are  but  indifferently  characterized.  One 
species  (G-irardinus  formosus)  from  S.  C.  and  Florida  is 
said  to  be  the  smallest  known  vertebrate.  The  species 
here  mentioned  are  carnivorous  surface  swimmers;  many 
southern  species  feed  on  mud  and  slime. 

*  Intestinal  canal  short,  but  little  convoluted;  bones  of  each 
mandibilary  firmly  united ;  carnivorous  species ;  anal  fin  not 
modified  into  an  intromittent  organ ;  ventrals  present, 
f  Teeth  in  a  single  series,  incisor-like,  notched ;   dorsal  nearly 
over  ventrals ;  body  stout  and  deep.  CYPRINODON,  1. 

ft  Teeth  all  pointed,  in  bands. 
a.  Dorsal  fin  beginning  in  advance  of  anal. 

b.  Branchiostegals  6 HYDRARGYRA,  2. 

bb.  Branchiostegals  5.         ....        FUNDULUS,  3. 

aa.  Dorsal  beginning  directly  opposite  anal ;  both  fins  large ; 

branchiostegals  4 ;  coloration  peculiar.      XENISMA,  4. 

aaa.  Dorsal  beginning  behind  origin  of  anal ;  branchiostegals 

5 ZYGONECTES,  5. 

/.  CYPRINODON,  Lacepede.     MUMMICHOGS. 
1.  C.  variegatuSf  Lac.  The  common  coastwise  species, 
entering  streams. 

2.  HYDRARGYRA,  Lacepede.     MAY  FISHES. 
1.  H.  majzlis,  (Bloch  &  Schn.)  C.  &  V.     The  common 
coastwise  species — largest  of  our  Cyprinodontidce. 


CYPRINODONTID^J. — 0.  268 

3.  FUHDULUS,  Lacepede.     KILLIFISHES. 

1.  F.    diaphanus,    (Les.)    Ag.      BARRED    KILLIFISH. 
SPRIXG   MUMMICHOG.     Sides  silvery  olive,  with  twelve 
to  fifteen  distinct,  narrow,  blackish,  vertical  bars;    head 
rather   narrow;    D.  13;    A.    13;    lat.   1.  42.     Coastwise, 
abundant,  but  ascending  streams  to  their  sources,  hence 
found    in  clear  springs  as  far  inland  as  Mich.  (Cope), 
Wisconsin    (Copeland),    Illinois,    Colorado    (Yarrow), 
etc.     [F.  multifasciatus,  (Les.)  Val.] 

2.  F.  menona,  Jordan  &  Copeland.    Similar  but  larger, 
and  the  vertical  bars  bluish  white  on  a  darker  ground. 
D.  12;  A.  10;  lat.  1.  48.     Rock  River,  Wis. 

3.  F.  heteroclitus,  (L.)  Gthr.     A  common  species  of 
the  coast,  ascending  streams;  D.  11;  A.  11;  lat.  1.  35. 

4.  F.  pisculentus,  (Mitch.)  C.&  V.     D.  12—14;  A.  13; 
lat.  1.  34;    body  more    elongate;    coastwise,    ascending 
streams. 

5.  F.  n/grofasciafus,(LeS.)C.&V.     D.  10;  A.  9;  lat. 
1.  33;  males  with  numerous  silvery  cross  bars;  females 
with  black  ones.     With  the  preceding. 

4.  XENISMA,  Jordan.  STUD  FISHES. 
1.  X.  catenata,  (Storer)  Jordan.  STUD  FISH.  MAY 
FISH.  Pale  steel  blue,  sides  with  series  of  bright  bronze 
spots,  forming  very  distinct  longitudinal  streaks ;  head  with 
bright  green  stripes;  $  dull;  throat  and  bars  on  dorsal  and 
anal  bright  orange;  D.  14;  A.  15;  lat.  1.  47;  length  6 
inches.  Tenn.  R. ;  one  of  the  handsomest  of  the  family. 
(JT.  stellifera,  Jor.,  from  Alabama  River,  with  the  spots 
not  in  rows,  is  a  still  more  brilliantly  colored  species.) 

5.  ZYGONECTES,  Agassiz.     TOP  MINNOWS. 

<  Haplochilus,  Gunther. 
*  Body  elongate,  rather  slender.    (Zygonectes.) 


264  FISHES. 

1.  Z.  notatus,  (Raf.)  Jor.      BLACK  -  SIDED  KILLIFISH. 
TOP  MINNOW.     Depth  4^- in  length;  head  4;  head  broad, 
depressed;    clear  pale  olive  with  a  few  dots  above;  a 
wide  purplish-black  band  along  sides  from  snout  through 
eye  to  caudal,  its  margin  usually  serrated;  D.  9;  A.  11; 
lat.  1.  34;    length  2£  inches.      Miss.  Valley;  abundant 
(Z.  pulchellus  and  tenellus,  Grd.,  F.  aureus.  Cope,  Z. 
olivaceus,  Ag.,  etc.) 

**  Body  short,  deep,  much  compressed.    (Micristius,  Gill.) 

2.  Z.  nottii,   Agassiz.      STRIPED    TOP    MINNOW.      A 
broad  band  and  several  dotted   lines  along  sides;    the 
darker  continuous  bands  alternating  with  fainter  inter- 
rupted ones;  males  transversely  banded;  silvery  below. 
Mississippi  Valley  and  Southern  streams. 

3.  Z.  melanops,  (Cope)    Jordan.      Yellowish    brown; 
belly  golden;  a  black  spot  below  eye;  fins  dotted;  D.  6; 
A.  8;  lat.  1.  31.     Neuse  R. 

4.  Z.  dispar,  Ag.      STRIPED   MINNOW.      Depth  4J  in 
length;  head  3f ;  the  width  of  interorbital  space  f  length 
of  head;  the  width  between  the  eyes  above  nearly  twice 
as  great  as  below;  snout  broadly  rounded;   fins  small; 
D.  7;  A.  9;    lat.  1.  34;    color  bluish,  each  scale  with  a 
bronze   spot   forming    very   regular   longitudinal    lines, 
which  are   very  distinct;    males   with    dark  cross  bars; 
very  small;    L.  1^-.     Rivers  and  lakes  of  Indiana  and 
Illinois,  a  singular  and  handsome  species, 

FAMILY  CL— UMBRID^E. 

(The  Mud  Minnows.} 

Small  fishes  like  the  Gyprinodonts  in  most  respects, 
but  with  the  mouth  different;  margin  of  upper  jaw 
formed  by  the  intermaxillaries  mesially  and  by  the  max- 
illaries  laterally;  head  and  body  scaly;  no  lateral  line; 


T7MBRHXE1. — CI.  265 

scales  moderate,  cycloid;  lower  jaw  longest;  dorsal  far 
back;  caudal  fin  rounded;  gill  openings  wide;  teeth 
villiform,  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines.  Genus  one  (or 
two) ;  (Melanura  has  never  been  properly  distinguished 
from  Umbra);  species  two,  Umbra  crameri  of  Austria 
and  the  following.  Both  are  found  in  sluggish  brooks 
in  mud  or  among  weeds.  "  A  locality  which,  with  the 
water  perfectly  clear,  will  appear  destitute  of  fish,  will 
perhaps  yield  a  number  of  mud  fish  on  stirring  up  the 
mud  at  the  bottom  and  drawing  a  seine  through  it. 
Ditches  in  the  prairies  of  Wisconsin,  or  mere  bog-holes, 
apparently  affording  lodgment  to  nothing  beyond  tad- 
poles, may  thus  be  found  filled  with  Melanuras" 
(Baird.) 

1.  MELANURA,  Agassiz.     MUD  MINNOWS. 
<   Umbra,  Giinther. 

1.  M.  limi,  (Kirtland)  Agassiz.     MUD  MINNOW.     MUD 
DACE.     DOG  FISH.     Depth  about  4  in  length;  head  3£; 
head  rather  large,  flattish  above;  greenish  or  dark  olive; 
sides  with  narrow  pale  bars,  often  obscure;    a  distinct 
black  bar  at  base  of  caudal;    D.  14;  A.  9;   V.  6;  lat.  1. 
35;  length  2  to  4  inches.     Lake  Champlain  to  Minne- 
sota, chiefly  northward  and  westward;  most  abundant  in 
Wisconsin;  rare  in  Ohio  Valley;  usually  associated  with 
Eucalia  inconstans. 

2.  M.  pygm&a,  (DeK.)  Baird.     EASTERN  MUD  MIN- 
NOW.    Dark  brown  with  whitish  longitudinal  streaks  and 
no  trace  of  cross  bars;  body  less  compressed  than  in  M. 
limi;   head   broader,  less    depressed,   with  larger  eye; 
snout  shorter;  profile  more  gibbous;  D.  13;  A.  7;  lat.  1. 
35.     New  York  to  S.  C.,  only  in  Atlantic  streams. 

12 


266  PISHES. 

FAMILY  CII.-ESOCID^E. 

(The  Pikes.) 

Body  elongated,  sub-cylindrical,  with  rather  small 
scales;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries 
mesially  and  by  the  maxillaries  laterally;  mouth  very 
large;  jaws  elongate,  depressed;  teeth  strong,  hooked, 
unequal,  on  intermaxillaries,  vomer  and  palatines;  dorsal 
short,  opposite  anal;  gill  openings  wide;  air  bladder 
present.  Voracious  fishes  of  the  fresh  waters  of  north- 
ern regions,  two  or  three  of  the  species  reaching  a  large 
size.  With  a  single  exception  (E.  lucius,  L.  the  Pike 
of  Europe  and  Asia)  all  the  species  belong  to  the  U.  S. 

Genus  one;  species  six  or  seven;  the  following  seem 
to  be  well  characterized;  many  others  have  been  de- 
scribed and  some  of  them  may  be  good,  but  that  has  yet 
to  be  proven. 

/.  ESOX,  Linnaeus.     PIKES. 

*  Lower  half  of  cheeks  as  well  as  opercles  bare ;  branchiostegals 
17  to  19 ;  species  of  very  large  size,  dark-spotted  on  a  lighter 
ground.  (Muskallunges.) 

1.  E.  nobilior,   Thompson.      MUSKALLUNGE.      GREAT 
PIKE.     Cheeks  as  well  as  opercles  half  bare;  grayish 
with  round  black  spots;  a  magnificent  fish,  reaching  a 
length  of  6  feet;  B.  18;  D.  3,  17;   A.  3,  15;  lat.  1.  155. 
Great  Lakes,  etc.     (E.  estor  of  some  authors.) 

**  Lower  half  of  cheeks  scaly ;  of  opercles  bare ;  branchiostegals 
15  or  16 ;  species  of  large  size,  white-spotted  on  a  darker 
ground.  (Pikes.) 

2.  E.  lucius,   L.      GREAT    LAKE    PIKE.      NORTHERN- 
PICKEREL.     Cheeks  entirely  scaly;    depth  7  in  length; 
head  3£;  olive  gray;  sides  with  round  yellowish  spots  as 
large  as  peas;  each  scale  with  a  shining  V-shaped  mark 
opening  downwards;    B.  15;  D.  20;   A.  17;  lat.  1. 


ESOCID^E. — on.  267 

Great  Lakes  and  headwaters  of  the  Mississippi.  A  fine 
species  reaching  a  length  of  3  to  4  feet.  (E.  estor, 
lucioideS)  boreus,  etc.,  of  authors.) 

***  Cheeks  and  opercles  scaly ;  branchiostegals  12  to  15 ;  species 
of  moderate  or  small  size,  reticulated  or  barred  with  dark 
green  on  a  lighter  ground — sometimes  plain.  (Pickerels.) 

f  Branch  ioslegals  14  to  16 ;  snout  prolonged ;  front  of  eye  nearly 
midway  in  head. 

3.  E.  reticulatus,  LeSueur.     COMMON  EASTERN  PICK- 
EREL.    GREEN    PIKE.     Head  3£  in  length;    the  snout 
much  prolonged;    front  of  eye  about  midway  in  head; 
eye  more  than  three  times  in  snout;    green,  sides  with 
a  network  of  brown  streaks;     B.  14  to  16;  D.  16  to  18; 
A.  15  to  17;    lat.  1.  120  to  130.     Streams  of  Atlantic 
States   abundant,    but   not   found    far   in    the    interior; 
smaller  than  the  preceding,  but  much  larger  than  the 
next. 

ft  Branchiostegals  normally  12 ;  front  of  eye  nearer  tip  of  snout 

4.  E.  cypho,  Cope.  HTJMP-BACK  PICKEREL.    Resembles 
E.  salmoneus,  but  may  probably  always  be  known  by 
the  elevated  back  and  broad  swollen  ante-dorsal  region. 
Colors  usually  plain  or  somewhat  reticulate.     Western 
States. 

5.  E.    americanus,     Gmelin.       BANDED     PICKEREL. 
TROUT  PICKEREL.     Head  3|  in  length,  the  snout  much 
shorter  than  in  the  preceding;    eye  much  nearer  snout 
than  opercular  margin,  its  diameter  less  than  3  in  snout; 
dark  green;    sides  with  about  twenty  distinct  blackish 
curved  bars,  scarcely  reticulated;    B.  12;  D.  13;  A.  13; 
lat.  1. 100;  length  scarcely  a  foot.     Atlantic  streams,  with 
the   preceding.      (E.  niger^    scomberius,  fasciatus   and 
ornatus  of  authors.)     (Represented  S.  of  Va.  by  E.  ra- 
venelii,  Holbr.) 


268  FISHES. 

6.  E.  sttlmoneus,  Raf.  LITTLE  PICKEEEL.  WESTERN- 
TROUT  PICKEREL.  Size  and  general  form  of  preceding 
or  slenderer;  olivaceous  green  above;  white  below;  sides 
with  many  reticulations  and  curved  streaks,  instead  of 
bars;  a  black  streak  in  front  of  eye  as  well  as  below; 
B.  12;  D.  13;  A.  14;  la*.  1. 112.  Western  streams,  abund- 
ant in  the  Ohio  Valley.  (E.  umbrosus,  Kirtland.) 
Resembles  reticulatus  more  than  americanus. 

FAMILY  CIIL— AMBLYOPSID.E. 

(The  Cave  Fishes.) 

Fishes  with  the  ventral  fins  rudimentary  or  wanting; 
the  vent  jugular,  in  front  of  the  pectorals,  and  the  eyes 
sometimes  rudimentary  and  concealed  under  the  skin; 
margins  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  alone; 
head  naked;  body  with  small,  cycloid  scales,  irregularly 
arranged;  no  lateral  line;  villiform  teeth  on  jaws  and 
palate;  dorsal  far  back,  opposite  anal;  stomach  ccecal, 
with  pyloric  appendages;  some  (and  probably  all)  vivi- 
parous. 

Fishes  of  small  size  living  in  subterranean  streams  and 
ditches  of  the  central  and  southern  U.  S.  Three  genera 
and  four  species  are  "all  of  the  family  yet  known,  but 
that  others  will  be  discovered  and  the  range  of  the 
present  known  species  extended  is  very  probable.  The 
ditches  and  small  streams  of  the  lowlands  of  our  South- 
ern Coast  will  undoubtedly  be  found  to  be  the  home  of 
numerous  individuals,  and  perhaps  of  new  species  and 
genera,  while  the  subterranean  streams  of  the  central 
portion  of  our  country  most  likely  contain  other  species." 
(Putnam.) 
*  Eyes  rudimentary,  concealed  under  the  skin ;  body  colorless. 

Ventrals  present,  small.        .        .        .        AMBLYOPSIS,  1. 
Ventrals  entirely  wanting.       .       .      TYPHLICHTHYS,  2. 


AMBLYOPSID^E. — CHI.  269 

**  Eyes  well  developed ;  body  colored ;  no  ventrals. 

CHOLOGASTEK,  3. 

/.  AMBLYQPSIS,  DeKay.  LARGER  BLIND  FISH. 
1.  A.  s pel  (BUS,  DeKay.  BLIND  FISH  OF  THE  MAM- 
MOTH CAVE.  Head  3  in  length;  D.  and  A.  equal,  well 
developed;  head  and  body  with  papillary  ridges;  scales 
small;  colorless;  D.  10;  A.  9;  V.  4;  P.  11;  length  2  to 
5  inches.  Subterranean  streams  of  Ky.  and  Ind.,  Mam- 
moth Cave,  Wyandot  Cave,  etc. 

2.   TYPHLICHTHYS,  Girard.     SMALL  BLIND  PISH. 
1.   T.  subterraneus,  Grd.     General  character  of   Am- 
blyopsis,  but  the  head  rather  blunter  and  broader  for- 
wards; D.  7  or  §;  A.  7  or  8;  P.  12;   length  2  inches  or 
less.     Subterranean  streams  in  Ky,,  Tenn.,  Ala. 

3.  CHOLOGASTER,  Agassiz.     DITCH  FISHES 

1.  C.  cornutus,  Ag.     Head  3  in  length;  eye  moderate, 
well  developed;    snout  with  two  horn-like  projections; 
yellowish  brown,  dark  above;  sides  with  three  dark  lines, 
becoming  dots  on  the  tail;  middle  rays  of  C.  dark,  fins 
otherwise  uncolored;  D.  8  or  9;  A.  8  or  9;  P.  12;  length 
2  to  2^-  inches.     Ditches  in  a  rice  field,  Waccamaw,  S.  C. 
Three  specimens  known. 

2.  C.    agassizii,   Putnam.      Head  4   in  length;    eyes 
larger;  uniform  light  brown,  otherwise  as  above;  length 
1  to  2  inches.     Subterranean  streams  in  Tenn.  and  Ky. 


270  FISHES. 

STJB-OBDER-ISOSPONDTLL 

(The  Trout-like  Fishes.) 

FAMILY  CIV.— PERCOPSIDJS. 

(The  Trout  Perches.} 

Body  covered  with"  moderate-sized  ctenoid  scales;  head 
naked;  no  barbels;  opercles  well  developed;  gill  open- 
ings wide;  an  adipose  fin;  jaws  with  villiform  teeth;  no 
teeth  on  vomer  or  palate;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed 
by  intermaxillaries  alone;  branchiostegals  six.  A  single 
genus  and  one  or  two  species  inhabiting  the  fresh  waters 
of  the  northern  U.  S.  Interesting  little  fishes,  with  the 
general  characters  of  Salmonidce^  but  having  the  mouth 
and  scales  decidedly  Perch-like. 

/.  PERCOPSIS,  Agassiz.  TROUT  PERCHES. 
1.  P.  guttatus,  Ag.  Depth  4£  in  length;  head  3f; 
silvery,  almost  pellucid;  upper  parts  with  rounded  dark 
spots  made  up  of  minute  dots;  D.  11;  A.  7;  L.  10; 
Great  Lakes;  Ohio  R.  (Jordan);  Potomac  R.  (JSaird)j 
Delaware  R.  (Abbott.) 

FAMILY  CV.-SALMONID^E. 

(The  Trout.) 

Head  naked,  body  scaly,  no  barbels;  margin  of  upper 
jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  mesially  and  by  maxil- 
laries  laterally;  adipose  fin  present;  belly  rounded;  air 
bladder  large,  simple ;  pseudobranchiae  present;  pyloric 
appendages  usually  numerous;  eggs  falling  into  the 
cavity  of  the  abdomen  before  exclusion.  Fresh  waters 
of  northern  regions,  many  species  periodically  descend- 
ing to  the  sea;  a  few  permanently  marine. 

Genera  sixteen;  species  one  hundred  and  sixty.     The 


.  —  CV.  271 


variations  due  to  age,  sex  and  food  are  very  great,  and 
have  led  to  the  establishment  of  a  great  number  of  nomi- 
nal species  in  all  the  leading  genera,  particularly  in 
Salmo. 

*  Jaws  with  evident  teeth. 

f  Dorsal  moderate,  of  less  than  30  rays;  teeth  strong,  on  jaws, 

vomer  and  tongue. 

\  Scales  small,   often    imbedded  in  the  skin;  lat.  1.  100  or 
more  .........        SALMO,  1. 

\\  Scales  moderate,  deciduous,  not  imbedded;  lat.  1.  60  to  70. 

OSMERUS,  2. 

ff  Dorsal  very  high  of  20  or  more  rays  ;  teeth  small. 

THYMALLUS,  3. 

**  Teeth  wanting  or  reduced  to  slight  roughnesses  ;  scales  rather 
large,  loose  ........      COREGONUS,  4. 

/.  SALMO,  Linnaeus.     SALMONS. 

>  Salmo,  Fario,  Salar,  Trutta,   Unibla,  HucfiO)  Sal- 
velini,  etc.,  of  Authors. 

*  Anadromous  species,  running  up  from  the  sea  into  fresh  water 

to  spawn  ;  the  young  remaining  there  for  a  time,  then  return- 
ing to  the  sea  where  they  remain  except  during  the  season 
of  reproduction;  upper  jaw  in  males  moderately  if  at  all 
hooked.  (Salmo.) 

1.  S.  salar,  L.     GKEAT  SEA  SALMON.     No  red  spots; 
young  (known  as  Parr,  or  /Smolt)  with  dusky  cross  bars; 
males  in  the  spawning  season  with  the  lower  jaw  strongly 
recurved  and  hooked;  body  covered  with  black  and  red 
patches;  others  silvery,  with  small  black  dots;  eleven  or 
twelve  scales  in  a  transverse  series  from  behind  the  adi- 
pose fin  obliquely  forward  to  the  lateral  line;  D.  14;  A. 
11;    lat.  1.  120.     Northern  Europe  and  America,  S.  to 
Cape  Cod. 

2.  S.  qu/nnat,  Rich.   COLUMBIA  RIVER  SALMON,  known 


272  FISHES. 

by  the  large  number  of  anal  rays  (16),  has  been  lately 
introduced  into  Eastern  streams. 

**  Species  not  anadromous,  living  entirely  in  fresh  water  or  only 

occasionally  passing  down  to  the  sea.    (Trout.) 
f  In  flowing  fresh  water,  retiring  to  deeper  places  in  winter ; 
red-spotted.    (Bceone,  Dek.) 

3.  S.  fontinalis,  Mitchill.     BKOOK  TROUT.     SPECKLED 
TROUT.     Mouth  wide;  teeth  moderate;  body  olivaceous, 
variegated    with    blackish,    with    numerous   red   spots; 
lower  fins  usually  orange  with  black  and  white  marginal 
bands;  dorsal  with  black  spots;  colors  variable;   young 
barred;  D.  12;  A.  12;  lat.  1.  200.     A  well  known  and 
beautiful  fish,  in  clear  brooks  from  the  French  Broad  R. 
to  the  Arctic  regions. 

ff  In  deep  rivers  or  lakes,  ascending  shallow  streams  to  spawn. 
a.  Red-spotted. 

4.  S.  oquassa,  Grd.     BLUE -BACK  TROUT.     OQUASSA. 
Slender,  "the  most  graceful  of  all  the  trouts;"  blue  or 
bluish  above;  sides  and  below  silvery  in  female,  orange 
in  male;  sides  spotted  with  orange  in  both  sexes;  upper 
fins  bluish,  bordered  with  orange ;  lower  fins  fiery  orange, 
margined  with  white.      Oquassa  L.  and  other  lakes  in 
Maine. 

aa.  Black-spotted. 

5.  S.  sebago,    Grd.     SEBAGO   LAKE   TROUT.     UNION 
RIVER  TROUT.     Every  where  black-spotted;  scales  quite 
large;    D.  14;    A.  10;    V.  10;    lat.  1.  115.     Sebago  L., 
Union  R.,  and  other  waters  in  Maine.    (S.  gloveri,  Grd.) 

f  ft  Trout  living  in  deep  fresh  water  lakes,  coming  to  the  shores 
to  spawn  in  shallow  water ;  never  entering  running  brooks 
or  passing  to  the  sea. 

6.  S.  namaycush,  Bloch.    MACKINAW  TROUT.    GREAT 
LAKE  TROUT.      Stout;    head   very  large,  3£  in  length; 


SALMQSID^E. — 0V.  273 

bones  of  head  strong;  posterior  point  of  juncture  of 
opercle  and  sub-opercle  much  nearer  the  upper  end  of 
the  gill  opening  than  to  the  lower  anterior  angle  of  the 
sub-opercle;  teeth  strong;  fins  large,  the  caudal  deeply 
forked;  color  grayish,  more  or  less  spotted,  varying  much 
with  circumstances;  D.  13  to  14;  A.  12;  V.  9;  lat.  1. 
220;  length  2  to  6  feet.  All  the  Great  Lakes,  north  to 
the  Arctic  Sea;  a  fish  of  much  firmer  flesh  than  the  next. 
(S.  amethystus,  Mitch.) 

7.  S.    siscowei,    Agassiz.      SISCOWET.      L.  SUPERIOR 
TROUT.     Stout;    head    smaller,  4^  in  length;    posterior 
point  of  junction  of  opercle  and  sub-opercle  nearer  to 
the  lower  anterior  angle  of  sub-opercle  than  to  the  upper 
end  of  gill  opening;  fins  and  teeth  well  developed  but 
weaker  than   in  S.  namaycush;    ventrals  farther  back; 
caudal  less  forked;  flesh  fat  and  not  firm;  grayish,  with 
round  white   spots  and  markings;    D.  12  to  14;  A.  12; 
lat.  1.  200.     L.  Superior,  L.  Huron. 

8.  S.  confinis,  DeK.       LAKE  TROUT  OF  NEW  YORK. 
Blackish,  with  gray  spots;    body    unusually    short   and 
thick.     Lakes  of  Central  and  Western  N.  Y.;  a  doubtful 
species. 

9.  S.  symmeirica,  Prescott.     WIXNIPISEOGEE  TROUT, 
Grayish  and  brown  above,  marbled  with  darker;  white 
below;  body  unusually  slender  and  symmetrical.     Lake 
Winnipiseogee;  also  a  doubtful  species. 

2.  OS  ME  R  US,  Linnaeus.     SMELTS. 

1.  0.  mordax,  (Mitch.)  Gill.  COMMON  SMELT.  Head 
4  in  length;  eye  4  to  4^  in  head;  teeth  stout,  especially 
large  on  the  tongue;  transparent  greenish,  a  silvery  band 
along  sides;  scales  very  loose;  D.  11;  A.  15;  lat.  1.  66. 

18 


274  PISHES. 

Coast,  Nova  Scotia  to  Virginia;  also  "land-locked"  in 
fresh  water  ponds  in  Maine,  etc.  (O.  viridescens,  Mitch  ) 

Var.  spectrum,  (Cope)  Jordan.  LAND-LOCKED  SMELT 
Head  4^-  in  length;  eye  large,  3  in  head;  depth  8^  in 
length.  Wilton  Pond,  Maine. 

Var.  abbottii,  (Cope)  Jordan.  ABBOTT'S  SMELT.  Head 
4f  in  length;  eye  4£  in  head;  depth  7  in  length;  colors 
dark;  lat.  1.  68.  Cobessicontic  L.,  Maine. 

3.  THYMALLUS,  Cuvier.  GRAYLINGS. 
1.  T.  tricolor,  Cope.  MICHIGAN  GRAYLING.  Depth 
4f  in  length;  head  about  the  same;  purplish  gray,  silvery 
below;  dorsal  with  rosy  markings  and  rows  of  green  or 
blue  spots;  D.  27;  A.  13;  lat.  1.  97.  Waters  of  the 
north  pare  of  the  S.  peninsula  of  Michigan;  a  beautiful 
fish. 

4.  COREGONUS,  Linngeus.     WHITE  FISHES. 

§  Lower  jaw  longest;  Ciscoes.     (Argyrosomus,  Agassiz.) 
*  Body  sub-fusiform ;  depth  4  to  5  iu  length. 

1.  C.  ariedi,  LeS.  LAKE  HERRING.  MICHIGAN 
HERRING.  Head  4f  in  length  (4£  to  5i);  depth  4  (3f  to 
4£);  eye  4  in  head;  maxillary  3^-  to  3f;  mandible  2^; 
scales  rather  large  and  loose;  bluish  above,  silvery  on 
sides  and  below;  D.  12;  A.  13;  lat.  1.  76;  length  12 
to  18  inches.  Great  Lakes,  etc.,  very  abundant;  a 
shallow  water  species.  (Coregonus  albus^  clupeiformis^ 
luciduS)  harengus,  etc.,  of  authors.) 

Var.  s/'sco,  Jordan.  Cisco  OF  LAKE  TIPPECANOE. 
Head  4|;  depth  4£;  eye  3f  in  head;  maxillary  3^-;  man- 
dible 2^;  longest  dorsal  ray  three  times  length  of  shortest; 
steel  blue  above,  sides  silvery  but  without  the  clear  luster 
of  C.hoyi,  finely  punctate;  D.  11;  A.  13;  lat.  1.  84. 
Lakes  of  Indiana  and  Wisconsin,  living  in  deep  water 


SALMONID^:. — cv.  275 

except  at  the  spawning  season ;  very  close  to  the  preced- 
ing, of  which  it  is  probably  a  variety,  but  the  habits  are 
more  like  those  of  the  next. 

2.  C.  n/gr/'p/nnis,  (Gill)  Jor.     BLACK  Fix.    Head  4£  in 
length;  depth  the  same;  eye  4 in  head;  body  compressed; 
fins  blackish,  darker  than  in  the  others;  D.  12;  A.  12; 
lat.  1.  80;    length   16  to  18  inches;  a  much    larger  fish 
than  the  preceding.     Lake  Michigan,  in  deep  water. 

**  Body  elevated ;  depth  about  3  in  length. 

3.  C.  tullibee,  Rich.     TULLIBEE.     Head  4j-  in  length ; 
D.  15;  A.  15;  lat.  1.  77.     L.  Superior  and  N. 

§  Upper  jaw  projecting  beyond  the  lower;  "White  Fish."    (Core- 
gonus.) 

4.  C.  hoyi,  (Gill)   Jor.      Cisco   OP   LAKE   MICHIGAN. 
Head  4  in  length;  depth  4^-;  eye  large,  3f  in  head:  max 
illary  2f ;  mandible  2;  longest  ray  of  dorsal  four  times  the 
length  of  the  shortest;  upper  jaw  somewhat  projecting, 
the  mouth    appearing  much    as  in   Coregonus;     bluish 
above,  sides  lustrous  silvery,  more  brilliant  than  in  any 
other  species;  D.  11;  A.  12;  lat.  1.  74;  length  8  inches. 
Smallest    and  handsomest  of  the  Ciscoes,  in  the  deep 
waters  of  the  Upper  Lakes. 

5.  C.  a/bus,  LeSueur.      LAKE  WHITE  FISH.      Depth 
3£  in  length;  head  small,  5^;  eye  4  in  head,  about  as 
long  as  snout;    form  varying  much  with  age,  sex  and 
food;  the  back  generally  elevated,  and  the  sides  com- 
pressed; pale  olive  above;  sides  white;  D.  13;  A.  13; 
lat.  1.  75  to  86.     Great  Lakes  and  bodies  of  water  tribu- 
tary to  them,  north  to  the  Arctic  Sea.     (This  species 
seems  to  be  MitchilPs  Salmo  clupeiformis,  and  the  latter 
specific   name  will  perhaps  have  to  supersede    albus.) 
(C.  sapidissimus,  latior,  richardsonii^  etc.,  of  authors.) 


276  FISHES. 

Var.  otsogo,  (DeWitt  Clinton.)  OTSEGO  LAKE  WHITE 
FISH.  A  form,  said  to  have  smaller  scales,  and  dusky 
lateral  stripes,  and  to  be  peculiarly  excellent  for  food, 
found  in  Otsego  Lake,  N.  Y. 

Var.?  novanglicB,  (Prescott.)  SHAD  -  WAITER.  A 
slender,  short  -  headed  form,  found  in  L.  Winnipiseogee, 
N.  H. 

Var.?  neohantoniensis,  (Prescott.)  WHITING.  A  lit- 
tle known  species  or  variety  found  also  in  Lake  Winni- 
piseogee. 

6.  C.    quadrilateralis,    Rich.      MENOMONEE    WHITE 
FISH.     Body  much  more  slender,  its  depth  5  in  length; 
snout  compressed,  projecting;  maxillary  very  short  and 
small,  less  than  one-fifth  the  length  of  head,  not  reaching 
to  eye;  D.  14;  A.  13;  lat.  1.  88.     Great  Lakes  and  north- 
ward, easily  distinguished  from  the  preceding. 

7.  C.    couesii,    Milner.      CHIEF    MOUNTAIN    WHITE 
FISH.     Form  of  preceding,  but  mouth  inferior  and  upper 
jaw  produced  in  a  cutaneous  appendage;    D.  Ill,  12;  A. 
IV,  10;  lat.  1.  38.     Upper  Missouri  region  and  perhaps 
occurs  in  Minnesota.     A  curious  species,  more  unlike  the 
typical  Coregonus  than  the  species  of  Argyrosomus  are. 
The  genus  Argyrosomus  is  not  a  good  one  and  should 
be    reunited   to    Coregonus.      Several   other  species  of 
Coregonus  have  been  described  from  within  our  limits, 
but  I  do  not  think  them  valid. 

FAMILY  CVL— HYODONTID^E. 

(The  Moon  Eyes.) 

Body  much  compressed,  covered  with  large,  silvery 
cycloid  scales;  head  naked;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed 
by  mtermaxillaries  mesially  and  by  maxillaries  laterally; 


HYODONTID.E. — CVI.  277 

no  barbels;  no  adipose  fin;  lateral  line  distinct;  abdo- 
men not  serrated,  compressed;  moderate  sized  teeth  on 
jaws,  vomer,  sphenoid,  hyoid,  pterygoid  and  palatine 
bones;  tongue  with  large  teeth;  head  short,  deep;  eye 
very  large;  gill  openings  wide;  one  pyloric  appendage; 
air  bladder  simple.  Three  species,  inhabiting  our  West- 
ern Streams  and  the  Great  Lakes. 

/.  HYODON,  LeSueur.     MOON  EYES. 
*  Belly  scarcely  carinate ;  dorsal  rays  12.  (Hyodon.) 

1.  H.  iergisus,  LeSueur.    MOON  EYE.    SILVER  BASS. 
TOOTHED    HERRING.      Depth   3^-   in    length;    head   4f; 
snout  rounded,  shorter  than  the  large  eye,  which  is  3£  in 
head;  scales  largest  on  the  flanks;  pale  olivaceous  above, 
sides  brilliantly  silvery;    D.  3,  12 ;    A.  30;    V.  7;  lat.  1. 
59 ;  length  1  foot.     Great  Lakes  and  Mississippi  Valley, 
abundant;  one  of  our  most  beautiful  fresh  water  fishes; 
variable;  it  has  been  described  under  many  names. 

2.  H.  se/enops,  Jordan   &   Bean.      SOUTHERN    MOON 
EYE.     Body  elongate,  not  greatly  compressed;  depth  4 
in  length;  belly  in  front  of  ventrals  transversely  rounded 
(very  slightly    carinated   in    H.  tergisus);    head   4£   in 
length;    eye   very  large,  2%  in   head;    D.  3,  12;    A.  27. 
Cumberland  River  and  South. 

**  Belly  strongly  carinated  both  before  and  behind  ventrals;  dorsal 
fin,  very  small,  of  nine  rays ;  (Elattonistius,  Gill  &  Jor.) 

3.  H.  chrysopsis,  Rich.      GOLDEN  MOON  EYE.     Body 
deep,  closely  compressed;    depth  3£  in  length;  head  4£; 
eye  moderate,  3^-  in  head;  pectorals  much  shorter  than 
in  the  other  species,  nearly  as  long  as  head,  about  reach- 
ing ventrals;  length  of  longest  dorsal  ray  half  greater 
than  base  of  fin  (about  equal  to  it  in  the  other  species) ; 
D.  3,  9;  A.  31;  lat.  1.  58.     Minnesota  and  northward- 


278  FISHES. 

FAMILY  CVIL— CLUPEIMI. 

(The  Herrings.'} 

Body  scaly;  head  naked;  abdomen  compressed  to  an 
edge  and  sharply  serrated;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed 
by  intermaxillaries  mesially  and  maxillaries  laterally; 
maxillaries  composed  of  three  pieces  which  are  some- 
times movable;  teeth  usually  minute  or  wanting;  dorsal 
moderate;  anal  often  very  long;  scales  usually  large  and 
loose;  no  lateral  line;  gills  well  developed;  posterior 
part  of  tongue  usually  provided  on  each  side  with  a  row 
of  conspicuous  "gill-rakers;"  gill  openings  wide. 

In  most  seas,  many  species  entering  fresh  water  to 
spawn,  a  few  remaining  permanently.  As  here  restricted, 
there  are  about  twelve  genera,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty  species.  Many  are  highly  valued  as  food  fishes. 
The  mouth  in  Dorysoma  is  so  peculiar,  that  it  is  prob- 
ably best  to  regard  that  genus  as  forming  a  distinct 
family  (.Dorysomatidce). 

*  Upper  jaw  not  projecting  beyond  the  lower.    (CLUPEIN^E.) 
f  Teeth  wanting,  or  on  tongue  only  (rarely  a  few  weak  teeth  in 
jaws)  no  dorsal  filament;  scales  regularly  arranged,  not 
ciliated;  upper  jaw  emarginate. 

\  Depth  3i  in. length;  cheeks  higher  than  long;   preopercle 
with  a  very  short  horizontal  process.    .        .        ALOSA,  1. 
\\  Depth  3f  to  3f  in  length ;  cheeks  longer  than  high ;  pre- 
opercle with  an  oblong  horizontal  process. 

POMOLOBUS,  2. 

**  Upper  jaw  projecting  beyond  the  lov^er.     (DORYSOMIN^E.) 
a.  Body   compressed,  deep;    last  ray  of  dorsal    filamentous; 
mouth  toothless,        .  DORYSOMA,  3. 

/.  ALOSA,  Cuvier.     SHADS. 

1.  A.  sapidissima,  (Wilson)  Storer.  COMMON  SHAD. 
Head  4^  in  length;  eye  5  in  head;  bluish,  sides  silvery; 


.  —  cvn.  279 


scales  large;  D.  18;  A.  21;  V.  9;  lat.  1.  68.  Newfound- 
land to  Florida,  entering  rivers;  also  lately  introduced 
into  Western  streams;  a  valuable  food  fish.  (A.prcesta- 
bilis,  DeK.) 

2.  POMOLOBUS,  Rafinesque.     GASPEREAUS. 

1.  P.  pseudoharengus,  (Wils.)  Gill.     ALEWIFE.     GAS- 
PEREAU.     SPRING  HERRIXG.     Head  5  in  length;  eye  4 
in  head;  bluish,  sides  iridescent;    D.  18;    A.  18;    V,  9. 
Newfoundland  '  to    Florida,   entering    rivers,  sometimes 
land-locked  in  ponds;  a  common  food  fish.     (A.  tyrannus, 
DeK.     A.  cyanonoton,  Stor.,  etc.,  etc.) 

Var.  lacustris,  Jordan.  CAYUGA  LAKE  SHAD.  Head 
4  in  length;  body  much  heavier  forward  than  in  the 
others;  depth  of  head  4^  in  length  of  body;  eye  large, 
longer  than  snout,  3  in  head;  scales  large,  loose;  caudal 
peduncle  in  its  narrowest  place  not  half  wider  than  eye; 
steel  blue,  punctate;  sides  silvery;  D.  15;  A.  19;  lat.  1. 
45;  33  scutes  in  all,  13  behind  ventrals.  Cayuga  L., 
N.  Y.,  dredged  in  deep  water.  (  Wilder.) 

2.  P.  chrysochloris,  Raf.     OHIO  GOLDEN  SHAD.    SKIP 
JACK.     Head  4  in  length;  eye  4^-  in  head;  body  ellipti- 
cal, much   compressed;    scales   large,  high,  rather  firm; 
depth  of  head  5J  in  length  of  body;    caudal  peduncle 
about  twice  width  of  eye;  brilliant  blue  with  green  and 
golden  reflections,  silvery  below;  D.  18;  A.  18;  lat.  1.  55; 
17  scutes  behind  ventrals.  Ohio  R.  and  lower  Mississippi; 
a  handsome  species.     Jaws  with  distinct  teeth. 

3.  DORYSOMA,  Rafinesque.     GIZZARD  SHADS. 

=  Chatoessus,  Cuvier. 

1.  D.  cepediana,  (LeS.  )  Gill.  HICKORY  SHAD. 
GIZZARD  SHAD.  Head  4  in  length;  depth  2-J;  origin  of 


280  FISHES. 

dorsal  behind  ventrals,  nearer  snout  than  caudal;  uni- 
form bluish  gray;  often  with  a  dark  shoulder  blotch;  D. 
13;  A.  32;  lat.  1.  55.  Cape  Cod  to  Cape  Hatteras, 
chiefly  marine,  but  often  land-locked  in  ponds,  where  it 
becomes  D.  insociabile,  Abbott. 

Var.  heterura,  (Raf.)  Jor.  OHIO  GIZZAKD  SHAD. 
THREAD  SHAD.  Head  3£  in  length;  depth  2f  to  3  in 
length;  dorsal  about  midway,  slightly  behind  ventrals; 
dorsal  filament  nearly  one-fourth  length  of  body;  bluish, 
sides  bright  silvery.  Ohio  R.  and  lower  Mississippi, 
apparently  not  descending  to  the  Sea;  also  escaped  into 
the  Great  Lakes.  The  difference  between  the  curve  of 
the  ventral  and  dorsal  outlines  is  greater  in  heterura 
than  in  the  Eastern  variety. 


STJB-ORDER.-EVEETOGWATHI. 

(The  Carp-like  Fishes.) 
FAMILY  CVIII.— CYPRINID^E. 

(The  Minnows.) 

Head  naked,  body  scaly  (except  in  Meda,  etc.);  mar- 
gin of  upper  jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  alone; 
mouth  toothless;  lips  much  less  developed  than  in  the 
C 1  atostomoids ;  barbels  two  to  four  (absent  in  most  of  our 
genera  and  not  large  in  any);  lower  pharyngeal  bones 
well  developed,  falciform,  nearly  parallel  with  the  gill 
arches,  each  provided  with  one  to  three  series  of  teeth 
in  small  number,  rarely  more  than  seven  on  each  side; 
belly  usually  rounded,  rarely  compressed,  never  serrated; 
gill  openings  moderate,  separated  by  a  narrow  isthmus; 
no  adipose  fin;  dorsal  fin  (in  all  our  species)  short,  with 
less  than  ten  rays;  air  bladder  usually  large,  commonly 
divided  into  an  anterior  and  a  posterior  lobe,  rarely 


CYPRINID^E. — cvin.  281 

wanting;  stomach  without  appendages,  appearing  as  a 
simple  enlargement  of  the  intestines. 

Small  fishes  of  the  fresh  waters  of  the  Old  World  and 
of  North  America.  Genera  about  one  hundred  and  fifty, 
species  seven  hundred  to  one  thousand;  excessively 
abundant  where  found,  both  in  individuals  and  in  species, 
and  from  their  great  uniformity  in  size,  form  and  color- 
ation, constituting  one  of  the  most  difficult  groups  in  all 
Natural  History  in  which  to  distinguish  species.  Ours 
are  mostly  of  smaller  size  than  those  of  the  Old  World, 
several  of  the  larger  European  types  being  represented 
in  America  by  Catostomoid  forms.  Our  largest  species, 
Semotilus  bullaris,  rarely  attains  a  weight  of  three  or 
four  pounds,  and  a  length  of  nearly  eighteen  inches. 
The  smaller  Hybopses  and  Hemitremice  scarcely  reach 
a  length  of  two  inches. 

The  spring  or  breeding  dress  in  many  genera  is 
peculiar.  Often  the  top  of  the  head,  and  sometimes  the 
whole  dorsal  region  also,  is  covered  in  the  males  with 
rows  of  spinous  tubercles,  outgrowths  from  the  epider- 
mis, and  usually  the  skin  of  the  muzzle  is  then  swollen 
and  charged  with  pigment.  In  Semotilus  and  Nocomis 
these  tubercles  are  quite  large  and  cover  the  front  and 
sides  of  the  head;  in  Pimephales  and  Hyborhynchus 
they  are  placed  entirely  on  the  front  of  the  obtuse  snout; 
in  Campostoma  the  whole  dorsal  region,  and  sometimes 
the  whole  body,  is  rough  with  large  tubercles;  in  Luxi- 
lus,  Cliola,  Lythrurus,  Gila  and  Notropis  the  prickles 
are  quite  small  and  crowded  on  the  upper  surface  of  the 
head  and  neck. 

In  some  genera,  the  males  in  spring  are  adorned  with 
bright  tints  of  red,  which  give  these  little  fishes  a 
temporary  brilliancy  scarcely  surpassed  even  by  Trouts 
or  Darters.  In  Luxilus,  Lythrurus^  Campostoma  and 


282  FISHES. 


)  the  red  appears  chiefly  as  pigment  in  the 
membranes  of  some  or  all  of  the  fins,  the  sides  of  the 
body  being  usually  more  or  less  flushed;  in  Rhinichthys 
and  Gilo,)  the  black  of  a  portion  of  the  lateral  band 
usually  changes  to  red;  in  Chrosomus,  and  Phoxinus, 
the  pigment  lies  mostly  in  the  skin  of  the  belly,  and 
in  Notions  it  is  chiefly  about  the  head  and  the  bases 
of  the  fins.  In  Pimephales  and  Hyborhynchus,  black 
pigment  is  deposited  in  the  skin  of  the  head,  and  in  the 
species  of  the  sub  -genus  Photogenis,  satin  -  white  pig- 
ment occurs  in  the  fins.  So  far  as  is  known  to  me, 
species  of  Hemitremia,  Hybognathus,  Coliscus,  Phena- 
cobius,  Exoglossum,  Ericymba  and  some  species  of 
other  genera  show  110  special  variations  in  the  breeding 
season. 

NOTE.  —  Young  Cyprinidce,  usually  are  more  slender  than  adults 
of  the  same  species,  and  the  eye  is  always  much  larger  ;  they  also 
frequently  show  a  black  lateral  stripe  and  caudal  spot  which  the 
adults  may  not  possess.  Spots  on  the  fins  are  generally  charac- 
teristic. 

The  student  will  find  it  necessary  from  the  first  to  examine  very 
carefully  the  teeth  of  these  fishes,  as  the  genera,  as  now  accepted, 
are  largely  based  on  dental  characters.  The  pharyngeal  bones  in 
the  smaller  species  can  be  removed  by  inserting  a  pin  (or  better,  a 
small  hook)  through  the  gill-opening,  under  the  shoulder-girdle. 
The  teeth  should  be  carefully  cleaned  with  a  tooth-brush,  or  better, 
a  jet  of  water,  and  when  dry  may  be  examined  by  any  sort  of  hand 
magnifying-glass.  In  most  cases  a  principal  row  of  four  or  five 
larger  teeth  will  be  found,  in  front  of  which  is  a  set  of  one  or  two 
smaller  ones.  The  two  sides  are  usually  but  not  always  sym- 
metrical. Thus,  "teeth  2,  4  —  5,  1,"  indicate  two  rows  of  teeth  on 
each  side,  on  the  one  side,  four  in  the  principal  row  and  two  in 
the  lesser,  on  the  other  side  five  in  the  main  row  and  one  in  the 
other.  "Teeth  4  —  4"  indicates  a  single  row  of  four  on  each 
pharyngeal  bone,  and  so  on. 

In  most  of  our  genera,  these  teeth  —  or  the  principal  ones,  are 
"  raptatorial,"  that  is,  hooked  inward  at  the  tips.  A  '•  grinding  "  or 


CYPRINID^E. — CVIII.  283 

"masticatory"  surface  is  an  excavated  space  usually  at  the  base 
of  the  hook.  Sometime  when  no  masticatory  surface  is  present  a 
lateral  bevel  of  the  edge  of  the  tooth  much  resembles  such  a  sur- 
face, and  should  be  carefully  examined.  In  young  individuals  of 
many  species  the  edges  of  the  teeth  are  more  or  less  crenate  or 
serrate.  This  condition  is  permanent  in  the  Southwestern  genus 
Gyprinella  and  in  Notemigonus. 
*  Native  species;  fins  without  serrated  spines;  dorsal  fin  short, 

of  less  than  10  rays, 
f  Dentary  bones  slender,  arched  and  widely  separated  except  at 

their  symphysis ;  lower  jaw  not  three-lobed. 
\  Air-bladder  suspended  in  the  abdominal  cavity  and  sur- 
rounded by  many  convolutions  of  the  long  alimentary 
canal,  which  is  six  to  nine  times  the  length  of  the  body ; 
(Campostomatince.) 

Teeth  in  ihe  principal  row  4 — 4,  with  oblique  grinding 
surface  and  no  hook ;  mouth  inferior ;  lips  sheathed, 
the  upper  protractile ;  sexual  differences  very  great,  the 
males  covered  with  large  tubercles  in  spring. 

CAMPOSTOMA,  1. 
\\  Air-bladder  above  the  alimentary  canal  and  contiguous  to 

the  roof  of  the  abdominal  cavity. 

6.  Rudimentary  dorsal  ray  forming  a  sort  of  spine  separated 
from  first  developed  ray  by  a  membrane ;  head  short ; 
mouth  small,  inferior;  upper  jaw  protractile;  teeth  4 — 
4,  with  grinding  surface,  not  strongly  hooked ;  aliment- 
ary  canal  elongate,  two  or  three  times  length  of  body ; 
males  with  very  large  tubercles  on  the  snout;  (fins 
short ;  a  black  spot  on  front  of  dorsal  about  half  way 
up ;  scales  in  front  of  dorsal  small.) 

c.  Lateral  line  incomplete;  body  short;  head  round. 

PlMEPHALES,   2. 

cc.  Lateral  line  complete ;  body  rather  elongate. 

HYBORHYNCHUS,  3. 

bb.  Rudimentary  ray  at  beginning  of  dorsal,  not  spine-like, 
firmly  attached  to  the  first  developed  ray. 

d.  No  barbel  at  the  angle  of  the  mouth. 

e.  Teeth  4 — 4,  cultriform,  without  hook,  and  with  oblique 


284  FISHES. 

grinding  surface;  alimentary  canal  elongate,  four 
times  the  length  of  body  or  more ;  prernaxillaries 
projectile;  lips  attenuate,  without  sheath;  scales 
large. 

/.  Lateral  line  almost  wanting;  mouth  oblique;  dor- 
sal in  front  of  ventrals.  .        .        .        COLISCUS,  4. 
ff.  Lateral  line  complete ;   mouth  horizontal ;    dorsal 
over  ventrals.      .        .        .        HYBOGNATHUS,  5. 
ee.  Teeth  raptatorial,  more  or  less  strongly  hooked ;  ali- 
mentary canal  usually  short,  about  as  long  as  body 
(in  Notemigonus  and  Chrosomm  somewhat  elongate.) 

g.  Lateral  line  complete  (rarely  obscure  or  wanting  on 

the  last  five  or  six  scales.) 
h.  Teeth  in  the  principal  row  4 — 4. 
i.  Teeth  with  masticatory  surface  developed. 
,;.  Dorsal  fin  beginning  above  some  part  of  base 
of  ventrals ;  anal  basis  short,  its  rays  seven 
to  nine. 

k.  Scales  normal,  the  usual  surface  exposed, 
little  if  any  higher  than  long;  species 
usually  of  small  size  and  weak  organiza- 
tion  HYBOPSIS,  6. 

kk.  Scales  much  deeper  than  long,  closely  and 
smoothly  imbricated  on  the  sides,  so  that 
the  exposed  surfaces  are  very  narrow. 

LUXILUS,  7. 

jj.  Dorsal  fin  beginning  entirely  behind  ventrals, 

between  ventrals  and  anal ;  anal  elongate,  of 

ten  to  twelve  rays;   (small,  elongate  species 

with  the  mouth  oblique,  the  teeth  2,  4 — 4,  2, 

and  a  black  sttot  at  base  of  dorsal  fin  in  front.) 

LYTHRURUS,  8. 

ii.  Teeth  without  masticatory  surface. 

I.  Lips  thin,  normal ;  opercular  and  rnandibul- 
ary  bones  without  externally  visible  muc- 
ous chambers. 
m-    Dorsal   fin  beginning    entirely    behind 


CYPKINID.E.— CVHI.  285 

ventrals;  body  elongate,  with  the 
mouth  oblique,  terminal  and  the  head 
more  or  less  pointed;  scales  large; 
anal  basis  somewhat  elongate,  the  rays 
usually  10  •  teeth  usually  2,  4—4,  2. 

NOTROPIS,  9. 

mm.  Dorsal  fin  beginning  over  ventrals;  body 

rather  shorter,  but  similar  as  to  form, 

form  of  head,  mouth,  scales,  etc. ;  anal 

basis  rather  short ;  the  rays  usually  8. 

CLIOLA,  10. 

II.  Suborbital,  interopercle  and  base  of  mandible 
much  dilated,  cavernous,  crossed  by  muc- 
ous channels,  (readily  seen  under  any  cir- 
cumstances by  looking  at  the  head  of  the 
fish  from   below) ;    snout  thick ;    mouth 
small,   inferior;   teeth  1,  4 — 4,  0;    dorsal 
over  ventrals.        .        .       ERICYMBA,  11. 
ttl.  Lips  thick,  fleshy,  the  lower  enlarged  be- 
hind; mouth  small,  inferior;   teeth  4 — 4; 
dorsal  fin  beginning  anterior  to  ventrals; 
elongate  species,resembling  young  Suckers. 
PHENACOBIUS,  12. 
Tih.  Teeth  in  the  principal  row  5 — 5  or  4 — 5 ;  dorsal 

entirely  behind  ventrals. 

n.  Anal  basis  not  elongate,  of  nine  or  fewer  rays ; 
teeth  entirely  without  masticatory  surface, 
two-rowed. 

o.  Mouth  normally  large  and  oblique;  scales 
small ;  (a  very  large  group  embracing  a  very 
wide  variety  of  forms ;  the  typical  Western 
species  are  very  large,  with  somewhat  the 
aspect  of  Esox,  with  large  mouth,  depressed 
head,  arched  back  and  very  slender  caudal 
peduncle ;  the  Eastern  species  are  small,  but 
typically  have  very  large  oblique  mouths 
and  brilliant  coloration  in  the  spring;  no 
black  spot  at  the  base  of  the  dorsal  in  front.) 

GILA,  13. 


2S6  FISHES. 

(oo.  Semotilus  corporalis  with  a  black  spot  at  the 
base  of  the  dorsal  in  front,  and  S.  bullaris  a 
large  species  with  large  scales,  have  the  bar- 
bel so  minute  as  to  be  easily  overlooked; 
they  may  therefore  be  looked  for  here.) 

SEMOTILUS,  18. 

(ooo.  Phoxinus  margaritus,  with  small  scales,  a 
small,  horizontal  mouth,  and  short,  rounded 
head,  has  the  lateral  line  so  nearly  com- 
plete that  it  may  be  looked  for  here.) 

PHOXINUS,  16. 

7m.  Anal  basis  elongate,  of  12  to  15  rays ;  teeth 
5 — 5,  with  grinding  surface  and  the  edges  cre- 
nate-serrate ;  belly  sub-carinate ;  body  deep, 
much  compressed,  with  small  head,  small, 
oblique  mouth,  and  the  lateral  line  greatly 
decurved ;  alimentary  canal  elongate. 

NOTEMIGONUS,    14. 

gg.  Lateral  line  incomplete  or  wanting. 
p.  Dorsal  behind  ventrals ;  scales  very  small ;  mouth 

oblique. 

q.  Teeth  4—5  or  5 — 5,  with  grinding  surface ;  ali- 
mentary canal  elongate.  CHROSOMUS,  15. 
qq.  Teeth  1  or  2,  5 — 4,  I  or  2,  without  grinding  sur- 
face ;  alimentary  canal  short ;  body  short  and 

thick PHOXINUS,  16. 

pp.  Dorsal  over  ventrals ;    scales  large ;  teeth  4 — 5, 

(rarely  4 — 4)  with  grinding  surface ;   alimentary 

canal  short.         .        .        .        HEMITREMIA,  17. 

dd.  Maxillary  provided  with  a  small— often  very  minute 

—barbel;  alimentary  canal  short;  teeth  hooked. 

r.  Premaxillaries  projectile,  the  skin  of  the  lip  separ- 
ated by  a  groove  from  that  of  the  forehead. 

s.  Teeth  two-rowed,  the  principal  row  4 — 5,  without 
grinding  surface;  barbels  minute,  just  above 
the  angle  of  the  mouth ;  size  large,  dorsal  fin  in- 
serted more  or  less  backwards.  SEMOTILUS,  18. 


.  —  CVIII.  287 


as.  Teeth  in  the  principal  row  4  —  4  ;  the  barbel  at  the 

extremity  of  the  maxillary. 

t.  Teeth  with  developed  grinding  surface;  dorsal 
fin  directly  over  ventrals  ;  scales  large  ;  head 
broad,  much  depressed,  nearly  flat  above,  re- 
sembling the  head  of  a  Cyprinodont. 

PLATYGOBIO,  19. 

tt.  Teeth  without  grinding  surface  ;  dorsal  fin  be- 

ginning over,  slightly  before  or  slightly  behind 

ventrals  ;  head  not  flattened.         NOCOMIS,  20. 

rr.  Premaxillaries  not  projectile,  the  skin  of  the  lip 

continuous  with  that  of  the  forehead  ;  teeth  2,  4  —  4, 

2,  without  grinding  surface  ;  dorsal  behind  ventrals  ; 

barbel  terminal  ;  scales  very  small  ;  mouth  more  or 

less  inferior.        .        .        .          RHIXICHTHYS,  21. 

ft  Dentary  bones  straight  and  flat,  united  throughout  their 

length;   mandible  much  incurved,  tongue-like,  a  lobe  on 

each  side  of  it  at  base  ;  air  bladder  normal  ;  bones  of  head 

not  cavernous;   intermaxillaries  not  projectile.    (Exogloa- 


u.  Teeth  1,  4  —  4,  1,  hooked,  without  grinding  surface  ;  dorsal 

slightly  behind  ventrals  ;  no  barbels.       EXOGLOSSOI.  22. 

**  Species  introduced  from  the  Old  World  ;  dorsal  very  long  and 

anal  short,  each  preceded  by  a  stout  spine  which  is  serrated 

behind. 

0.  Mouth  without  barbels    teeth  compressed,  4  —  4.  (Carassiina.') 

CARASSIUS,  23. 

vo.  Mouth  with  four  long  barbels;  teeth  molar  1,  3  —  3,  1,  (Gy- 
prinince)        .......       CYPRINUS,  24. 

/.  CAMPOSTOMA,  Agassiz.     STONE  LUGGERS. 

1.  C.  anomala,  (Raf.)  Ag.  STONE  LUGGER.  STOXE 
ROLLER.  Brownish,  with  a  brassy  luster  above,  the 
scales  more  or  less  mottled  with  dark;  a  black  vertical 
bar  behind  opercle;  iris  usually  orange-red;  dorsal  and 
anal  each  with  a  dusky  cross-bar  about  half  way  up,  the 


288  FISHES. 

rest  of  the  fin  olivaceous,  or  in  spring  males  fiery  orange; 
males  in  spring  with  many  rounded  tubercles  on  head, 
and  usually  the  whole  upper  surface — in  no  other  genus 
are  these  nuptial  appendages  so  extensively  developed— 
scales  deep,  rather  small  and  crowded  anteriorly;  intes- 
tinal canal  six  to  nine  times  the  total  length  of  the  body, 
its  numerous  convolutions  passing  above  and  around  the 
air-bladder,  an  arrangement  found  in  Campostoma  alone 
among  all  the  Vertebrates;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  50  to 
55;  L.  4  to  8;  herbivorous.  Mississippi  Valley,  every 
where  abundant;  one  of  the  most  curious  and  interesting 
of  American  fishes.  [G.  dubium,  (Kirt.)  Cope.  C.  cal- 
lipteryx,  gobioninum,  etc.,  Cope.] 

2.  PIMEPHALES,  Rafinesque.     ROUND -HEADED 

MINNOWS. 

1.  P.  promelas,  Raf.  FAT -HEAD.  BLACK  HEAD. 
Head  almost  globular,  black  in  adult  males;  snout  in  $ 
with  several  large  tubercles;  body  very  short  and  deep; 
scales  crowded;  eye  small;  mouth  very  small  and  short; 
a  large  black  dorsal  blotch;  males  dusky;  females  oliva- 
ceous; D.  I,  7;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  46;  L.  2£.  Ohio  Valley 
to  Upper  Missouri.  Known  at  sight,  as  it  resembles 
nothing  else. 

3.  HYBORHYNCHUS,  Agassiz.  BLUNT-NOSED  MINNOWS. 
1.  H.  notatus,  (Raf.)  Ag.  BLUNT- NOSED  MINNOW. 
Brownish  or  bluish,  a  dusky  shade  along  sides,  sometimes 
forming  a  caudal  spot;  a  distinct  black  spot  on  middle 
of  front  rays  of  dorsal;  head  short;  snout  in  spring 
males  with  disproportionately  large  tubercles,  usually 
fourteen  in  all;  no  distinct  barbel  at  each  angle  of  the 
mouth;  scales  in  front  of  dorsal  small  and  crowded; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I.  7;  lat.  1.  45;  L.  3  to  4.  N.  Y.  to  Tenn., 
Wis.,  and  Mo.;  very  abundant  in  the  Ohio  Valley. 


CYPRINID^E. — cvni.  289 

2.  H.  supsrciliosus,  Cope.  Head  broader;  a  distinct 
barbel  at  each  angle  of  the  mouth;  scales  on  sides  high 
and  narrow.  With  the  preceding,  of  which  it  is  perhaps 
a  variety. 

4.  COLISCUS,  Cope.     COLISCUS. 

1.  C.  parietalis,  Cope.     Silvery;   D.  I,  7;  A.  I,  8;  lat. 

1.  42.     Missouri. 

5.  HYBOGNATHUS,  Agassiz.      BLUNT- JAWED  MINNOWS. 

1.  H.  nuchalis,  Ag.      BLUNT -JAWED  MINNOW.     Sub- 
orbital  bones  broad  and  short,  not   long  and  narrow  as 
in  the  next;  head  4f-  in  length;  eye  small,  shorter  than 
snout,  4  to  4J  in  head;  depth  4-j-  in  length,  about  equal 
to  length  of  head;    D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  38;  L.  2£. 
Ohio  Valley  and  W.     This  and  the  next  may  be  readily 
known  from  the  Hybopses,  which  they  strongly  resemble 
externally,  by  the  peculiarities  of  the  intestines. 

2.  H.  argyrltis,  Grd.     SILVERY  MINNOW.     Olivaceous 
green  above,  sides  clear  silvery  with  bright  reflections; 
fins  unspotted;    eye  large,  longer  than  muzzle,  3  to  4  in 
head;  depth  4J  in  length;  scales  in  front  of  dorsal  quite 
large;     lateral    line    decurved;     head   large,  upper   jaw 
heavy;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  38;  L.  5.      N.  J.  to  S.  C. 
and  W.  to  the  Upper  Missouri;  abundant  in  the  larger 
streams;    one   of  our  handsomest  dace.     (H.  osmerinus^ 
Cope,  not  in  the  least  different.) 

3.  H.    regius,    Grd.      ROYAL    MINNOW.      Head  5  in 
length;  mouth   small;    bright  silvery;    D.  I,  9;    A.  I,  9; 
L.   7;    lat.    1.   38.      Maryland  and   Virginia;    a   species 
similar  to   the  preceding  but  apparently  much  larger; 
the  two  need  further  comparison. 

13 


290  FISHES. 

6.  HYBOPS/S,*  Agassiz.     MINNOWS. 

*  Mouth  inferior,  horizontal,  small  (rarely  oblique,  and  the  teeth 

4 — 4) ;  dorsal  over  or  in  front  of  ventrals. 

f  Teeth  two-rowed ;  body  elongate,  silvery,  the  head  contained 
5i  to  6  times  in  total  length,  including  caudal  fin ;  dorsal 
fin  beginning  in  front  of  ventrals;  grinding  surface  of  teeth 
often  more  or  less  distorted  or  even  obliterated.  (Hudsonius, 
Grd.) 

1.  H.    storer/anus,  (Kirt.)   Ag.      STOKER'S   MINNOW. 
Silvery,  scales  with   black  dots,  forming  a  dark  lateral 
stripe;  snout  blunt,  about  as  long  as  eye;    depth  5  in 
length;    D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  41.     Great  Lake  region, 
etc. 

2.  H.  hudsonius,  (Clinton)  Putnam.     SPAWN -EATER. 
Silvery,  often  with  dark  shades;  snout  much  shorter  than 
eye,  bluntly  rounded;   depth  4  in  length;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I, 
8;  lat.  1.  38;  teeth  usually  2,4 — 4,  2.     Lakes  and  rivers; 
abundant  eastward.     (ITucZs.  flumatilis,  Grd.) 

3.  H.  amarus,  (Grd.)  Cope.     "  SMELT."     Very  similar, 
but  paler  and  with  the   snout  much   less  decurved,  less 
blunt  than  the  two  preceding  species;  D.  I,  7;  A.  I,  8; 
lat.  1.  38;  teeth  usually  1,  4—4,  1.      Penn.  to  Ga.     (H. 
phae'nna,  Cope.) 

ft  Teeth  4—4 ;  body  shorter,  small ;  head  larger,  4|  to  5  in  length, 
with  caudal  fin ;  dorsal  fin  beginning  over  ventrals ;  small 
species,  usually  without  bright  colors.    (Alburnops,  Grd.) 
\  Mouth  inferior  or  horizontal,  small, 
a.  Lateral  line  43  to  45 ;  a  spot  on  dorsal  fin  m  front. 

4.  H.  tuditanus,  Cope.     Form,  coloration  and  dentition 
of  Hyborhynchus  notatus,  but  with  the  alimentary  canal 

*  I  follow  custom  in  retaining  the  name  Hybopsis  for  this  group,  but  I 
believe  no  one  knows  certainly  for  what  Agassiz  intended  it.  It  is  not  unlikely 
that  his  "Hybopsis  gracilis,"  the  type  of  his  genus,  was  a  species  of  Nocomis, 
probably  N.  winchelli.  In  that  case,  our  genus  "Nocomis"  should  be  called 
Hybopsis,  and  our  "Hybopsis,"  Alburnops. 


CYPKINIDJE. — CVIII.  291 

short,  and  the  dorsal  spine  not  distinct;  olivaceous; 
scales  black  edged;  27  scales  in  front  of  dorsal  fin.  In- 
diana; a  species  unknown  to  me. 

aa.  Lateral  line  36  to  37. 

5.  H.  spectruncu/us,  Cope.      Eye  large;    head  broad 
and  flat;  a  plumbeous  lateral  band  and  black  caudal  spot; 
fins  reddish:  A.  I,  9.     Tennessee  River. 

6.  H.  stramineus,  Cope.      STRAW-COLORED   MINNOW. 
Mouth   small;    snout  very   obtuse;    body  rather  stout; 
coloration  pale;  12  to  15  large  scales  in  front  of  dorsal; 
a  small,  pale,  insignificant   species.      Common   in   our 
"Western  streams. 

aaa.  Lateral  line  31  to  33. 

7.  H.  procnef  Cope.     Scales  large;    caudal  peduncle 
contracted  and  slender;    dorsal  region  compressed  and 
elevated;  muzzle  very  obtuse;  a  plumbeous  lateral  band 
over  black  pigment;    D.  I,   8;    A.  I,  7.     Pennsylvania 
N.  J.,  etc.,  common;  one  of  the  smallest  species. 

8.  H.  missuriensis,  Cope.     Form  stout,  with  large  head 
and  thick  caudal  peduncle;  twelve  scales  before  dorsal; 
colors  rather  pale;  D.  I,  8.     Missouri,  etc. 

9.  H.    microstomus,   (Raf.)   Jordan.      LONG-HEADED 
Mixxow.     Head  elongated;    a  silvery  band  along  sides 
and  a  series  of  black  dots  along  lateral  line;  depth  5  in 
length;  caudal  peduncle  not  abruptly  contracted;  pec- 
torals  long,  nearly  reaching  ventrals;    D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7; 
lat.  1.  33.     Va.  to  Ky.     (H.  longiceps,  Cope.) 

10.  H.    volucellus,  Cope.      LOXG  -  FIXNED    MINNOW. 
Head    flattened,    elongate,  3f   in    length;    pectoral   fins 
unusually   long,  reaching  to  ventrals;  caudal   peduncle 
slender;  olivaceous,  a  dusky  lateral  band.     Michigan  and 
Wisconsin. 


292  FISHES. 

ft  Mouth  larger,  oblique;  the  jaws  about  equal. 
b.  Lateral  line  35. 

11.  H.   fretens'iSf  Cope.     Body  compressed  and  elong- 
ate, as  in  the  genus  NotropiB}   lateral  line   decurved; 
seventeen  rows  of  scales  in  front  of  the  dorsal;  a  broad 
plumbeous  shade  on  sides.     Mich,  to  111. 

bb.  Lateral  line  44. 

12.  H.    hcBtnaturuSf    Cope.      RED -TAILED    MINNOW. 
Lateral  line  nearly  straight;  colors  dull;  sides  not  silvery; 
a  dusky  spot  at  base  of  caudal;    caudal  fin  dull,  brick- 
red;  anal  short,  I,  7.     Tributaries  of  Lake  Michigan. 

**  Mouth  oblique,  the  jaws  about  equal;  dorsal  distinctly  behind 
venlrals ;  teeth  two-rowed ;  1  or  2,  4 — 4,  1  or  2.  (Hydrophlox, 
Jor.) 

13.  H.  lacertosus,  Cope.     A  large  dull-colored  species 
with   broad,  deep  head,  4  in   length,   and  large  scales; 
mouth  wide;  eye  large;  silvery,  dusky  above.    Tennessee 
River. 

14.  H.  plumbeolus,  Cope.     Body  compressed,  elongate ; 
lower  jaw  projecting;  color  uniform  silvery;  A.  I,  9;  lat, 
1.  39;  teeth  2,  4.     Great  Lakes. 

15.  H.  chalybceus,  Cope.      PIGMY  MINNOW.      Muzzle 
flat;  head  4  in  length;  caudal  peduncle  abruptly  slender, 
lateral  band  very  distinct,  shining  black;    A.  1,  8;  lat.  1. 
36.     Penn.,  N.  J.;  one  of  the  smallest  of  the  Cyprinidce; 
length  1%  inches;  (resembles  Hemitremia  bifrenata.)  The 
males  in  the  spring  are  brilliantly  colored,  the  lower  parts 
being  largely  orange. 

16.  H.  rubricroceus,  Cope.     CRIMSON  FALL  FISH.     A 
small,  rather  deep-bodied  species  having  somewhat  the 
form  of  a  Notropis  ;  lower  jaw  rather  longest;   19  rows 
of  scales  in  front  of  the  dorsal;  lat.  1.  38;  coloration  most 
brilliant;   clear   greenish    and  silvery;    males   brownish 


.  —  cvm.  293 


orange  above;  lateral  band,  chin  and  snout  largely  ver- 
milion; sides  red  or  yellowish.  Tennessee  and  Savan- 
nah Rivers.  Abundant  in  the  clear  mountain  streams 
and  below  waterfalls.  Several  other  similar  brilliantly 
colored  species  occur  farther  south. 

7.  LUXILUS,  Rafinesque.     SHINERS. 

(=Hypsilepis,  Baird.) 
(=-Plargyrus,  Girard.) 

Teeth  2,  4  —  4,  2  ;  fins  with  red  pigment,  but  no  white.  (Luxilus.*) 
f  Dorsal  over  ventrals  ;  body  deep,  with  very  high  scales. 

1.  L  cornutus,  (Mitch.)    Jordan.     COMMON   SHINER. 
RED  -  FINNED    SHINER.       ROUGH  -  HEAD.       RED  -  FIN. 
Adult  deep  steel  blue  or  olivaceous  above,  with  golden 
vertebral  and  lateral   bands,  very  conspicuous  in  life  ; 
sides  silvery,  rosy  in  males  in  spring;  fins  plain  oliva- 
ceous or  somewhat  dusky,  becoming  crimson  in  spring; 
young  olivaceous  and  silvery,  not  closely  resembling  the 
adult  ;  depth  3  to  5  in  length,  greater  than  length  of 
head  in  adults;  head  large;  mouth  moderately  oblique, 
the  lower  jaw  not  projecting;  lateral  line  much  decurved; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  9;  lat.  1.  40  to  45;  L.  6.     U.  S.  from  Maine 
to  the   Rocky  Mountains>  every  where   abundant,   and 
extremely  variable.     The  adults  may  be  known  at  once 
by  the  high  and  narrow  exposed  surfaces  of  the  scales; 
the  young  often  need  close  attention.     (Plargyrus  typi- 
cus,  Grd.;   L.  chrysocephalus,  Raf.;  L.  diplemiiis   and 
plargyrus,  Kirt.;  Leuciscusfrontalis,A.g.)  a  stout  variety 
from  the  Great  Lakes.) 

2.  L.  selsne,   Jor.       SILVER   SHINER.       Smaller   and 
much  more  elongate,  depth  4-^  in  length;  head  short  and 
stout,  about  the  same;  eye  3  in  head,  very  large;  lateral 
line  little  decurved;   scales  large,  much  less  narrowed 


294  FISHES. 

than  in  L.  cornutus;  dorsal  high;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1, 
40;  bluish  above;  sides  silvery.     Lake  Superior. 

f  Dorsal  distinctly  behind  ventrals;  body  elongate ;  lower  jaw 
longest. 

3.  L    coccogenis,    (Cope)   Jordan.     RED  -  CHEEKED 
SHINER.     Steel  blue,  sides  silvery;  dorsal,  caudal,  and 
pectorals  red  in  the  male;  adults  of  both  sexes  with  the 
upper  jaw,  base  of  dorsal  and  a  vertical  streak  down  the 
cheeks,  bright  orange  red,  the  latter  mark  appearing  like 
a  brand;    dorsal  and  caudal  with  a  broad  dusky  bar; 
slimmer  than  cornutusj  depth  4-J  in  length,  about  equal 
to  length  of  head;  mouth  very  oblique,  the  lower  jaw 
projecting  (excepting   in  tuberculate  males);  D.   I,   8; 
A.  I,  9;  lat.  1.  42.     Tributaries  of    the    Tennessee  R., 
abundant;  a  beautiful  and  very  distinct  species. 

**  Teeth  1,  4—4,  1;  dorsal  fin  inserted  just  behind  ventrals;  fins 
and  lower  parts  with  milk-white  pigment  in  spring,  never 
red ;  dorsal  with  a  large  black  spot  on  the  last  rays,  about 
halfway  up  (an  important  feature);  upper  jaw  projecting  in 
closed  mouth ;  eye  rather  small.  (Photogenis,  Cope.) 

4.  L  galacturus,  (Cope)  Jor.     MILKY-TAILED  SHINER. 
Bluish  above,  sides  bright  silvery,  with  bright  reflections; 
base  of    caudal   fin    largely   yellowish,    or    cream-color; 
teeth  rarely  serrate;  head  4^-  in  length;  depth  4f ;  mouth 
large,  nearly  horizontal;  body  slender,  more  elongated 
and  less  compressed  than  in  the  next;  scales  smooth  and 
firm,  usually  with  dusky  edges;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat  1.  40; 
L.  5.     Cumberland  River  and  S.,  abundant.     Resembles 
the  next,  but  larger,  and  with  a  larger  mouth. 

5.  L.   ana/ostanus,  (Girard)  Jor.    SILVER  FIN.    Leaden 
silvery;  fins  satin  white  in  the  breeding  season;  dorsal 
with  a  conspicuous  black  spot,  as  in  the  preceding;  head 
4  in  length,  rather  short  and  deep;  mouth  rather  small, 
very  oblique,  yet  the  lower  jaw  received  within  the  upper 


CYPEDTED^E. — CVHI.  295 

in  the  closed  mouth;  body  much  compressed;  depth  3f  in 
length;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  35  to  40;  L.  3|.  Teeth 
usually  more  or  less  serrate.  Cayuga  L.,  N.  Y.  (8.  H. 
Gage),  to  N.  J.,  Va.,  and  Ind.,  abundant.  In  full  breed- 
ing dress  one  of  the  most  exquisite  of  all  our  fishes. 
L.  kentuckiensis,  Kirt.,  not  of  Raf.  (Photogenis  spilop- 
terus,  Cope,  is  probably  based  on  young  forms  of  this 
species.  Leuciscus  spirlingulus,  Val.,  is  more  likely 
Hybopsis  hudsonius.) 

8.  LYTHRURUS,  Jordan.     RED- FINS. 

1.  L.  cyanocephalus,  Copeland.     BLUE  -  HEADED  RED- 
FIX.     HOY'S  RED  FISH.      Body  short,  stout  and  deep, 
the  depth  4  in  length;  the  axis  of  the  body  being  half 
nearer  the  ventral   than  the  dorsal  outline;   head  very 
short  and  deep,  4^  in  length;  mouth  large,  very  oblique; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  12;  lat.  1.  46.     Head  bright  glaucous  blue 
in  males  in  spring;  sides  and  fins  chiefly  crimson,  the 
black  dorsal  spot  conspicuous;  teeth  2,  4 — 4,  2.     South- 
ern Wisconsin;  near  the  next  but  much  more  chubby, 
with  somewhat  the  aspect  of  Pimephales. 

2.  L.  diplnmius,   (Raf.)  Jordan.      RED  -  Fix.      Bright 
steel  blue,  with  purplish  shades,  silvery  below;  a  large 
black  spot  on  the  anterior  rays  of  dorsal  in  front;  fins 
otherwise  unicolor,  plain  olivaceous  in  $,  brilliant  brick 
red  in  spring  males;  scales  with  more  or  less  dark  edg- 
ing; nuptial  tubercles  minute,  very  numerous,  whitish, 
chiefly  on  the  upper  surface  of  head;  body  much  com- 
pressed; back  elevated;  head  deep,  rather  obtuse;  depth 
3f  in  length;  D.  I,  9;  A.  1, 10;  lat.  1.  44;  L.  3.     Western 
streams,  generally  abundant;    an    exceedingly  brilliant 
fish  in  the  breeding  season;  known  at  all  times  by  the 
dorsal  spot  and  compressed  body,  with  large  fins  and 


296  FISHES. 

long  caudal  peduncle.   (Rutilus  ruber,  Raf.)     (Not  Leu- 
ciscus  diplemius,  Kirt.) 

3.  L.  ardensr  (Cope)  Jordan.  SOUTHERN  RED- FIN. 
Colors  similar,  but  red  on  sides  more  conspicuous;  head 
rather  pointed,  with  the  mouth  still  more  oblique;  depth 
5  in  length;  D.  I,  9;  A.  I,  11;  lat.  1.  50.  Cumberland 
and  Roanoke  Rivers.  (Aspect  more  of  Notropis.) 

9.  NOTROPIS,  Rafinesque.     ROSY -FACED  MINNOWS. 
(=Minnilus,  Raf.;  Alburnellus^  Girard.) 

1.  N.  rubrifrons,  (Cope)  Jordan.     ROSY  -  FACED  MIN- 
NOW.    Olive  above,  with  a  clear  green  lustre;  sides  sil- 
very; a  dark  vertebral  line;  forehead,  opercular  region, 
base  of  dorsal,  etc.,  flushed  with  red  in  spring;  upper 
surface  of   head  minutely  tuberculate  in  males  at  that 
season;  head  rather  pointed,  about  3£  in  length;  depth 
4£;  eye  about  4  in  head;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  10;  lat.  1.  38; 
L.  3  or  less.     Ohio  Valley,  abundant;  an  elegant  little 
fish,  well  distinguished  from  N".  rubellus  by  the  smaller 
size,  deeper  body  and  much  longer  head,  as  well  as  by 
peculiarities  of  form. 

2.  N.  dilectus,  (Grd.)  Jordan.     DELECTABLE  MINNOW. 
Intermediate    between    the    preceding    and   the   next; 
smaller  than  rubellus  and  more  thick-set;  head = depth, 
about  5  in  length;  eye  longer   than  snout,  3  in  head; 
coloration  of  the  others;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  11;  lat.  1.  42;  L. 
3£.     Ohio  R.,  (New  Albany,  Dr.  Sloan)  to  Arkansas  R. 
and  S.  (Type  of  Alburnellus.) 

3.  N.  rubellus,  (Ag.)  Jordan.     ROSY  MINNOW.     Light 
olive,  with  brilliant  clear  green  lustre;  a  dark  vertebral 
line,  and  dark  edges  to  the  dorsal  scales;  sides  brilliantly 
silvery,  the  lustre  overlying  a  plumbeous  lateral  shade; 


CYPRINID^.— CVTH.  297 

forehead,  etc.,  rosy  in  spring;  sides  sometimes  rosy 
tinted;  golden  dorsal  and  lateral  stripes,  conspicuous  in 
life  as  in  most  silvery  species;  head  short,  somewhat 
pointed,  5  in  length;  depth  5J  to  5£;  eye  4  in  head; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  10;  lat.  1.  38;  L.  4  to  5.  Great  Lakes  and 
Ohio  Valley;  abundant  in  the  larger  streams;  even  more 
graceful  in  form  and  delicate  in  coloration  than  the  pre- 
ceding. 

4.  N.  dinemus,  (Raf.)  Jor.    EMERALD  MINNOW.   Color- 
ation  exactly  as   in  M.  rubellus,   but   the   body    very 
slender  and  less  compressed,  more  elongated  than  in  any 
other  of  our  Cyprinidce,  the  depth  being  only  from  one- 
sixth  to  one-seventh  of  the  length;  head  4f  in  length; 
eye  3^  in  head;  fins  as  in  preceding;  L.  4  to  5.    L.  Mich- 
igan and  Ohio  Valley,  in  the  larger  streams,  like  the 
others,  "going   in    flocks."     (A.  jaculus   and  A.  urge, 
Cope.)     (This  is  Rafinesque's  "Emerald  Minnow,"  the 
type  of  his  genus  Minnilus.      But  the  name  Notropis 
is  still  older.     This  species  and  the  two  preceding  are 
not  very  well  separated.) 

5.  N.  micropteryx,    (Cope)   Jordan.      SMALL -FINNED 
MINNOW.     Resembles  M.  rubrifroiis,  but  the  fins  all  very 
low,  the  ventrals  scarcely  reaching  to  the  line  of  the 
middle  of  dorsal;  head  4£  in  length;   depth  5£  to  5|; 
lat.  1.  39;  L.  3.     Tennessee  and  Cumberland  Rivers. 

6.  N.  photogenis,  (Cope)  Jor.     WHITE -EYED  SHINER. 
An  extremely  variable  species,  differing  from  all  of  the 
preceding  in  the  less  posterior  position  of  the  dorsal, 
and  in  the  rather  more  compressed  form;  depth  4J  to  7 
in  length;  head  4  to  4-J-  in  length;  eye  3£  in  head,  large 
and  white;   olive  green;  no  red  pigment;  sides  silvery; 
male  minutely  tuberculate  about  the   head  in  spring; 
dorsal  fin  beginning  much  nearer  caudal  than  end  of 


298  FISHES. 

muzzle;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  10;  lat.  1.  40.  Streams  of  the 
Allegheny  region  from  Penn.  S.  (Photogenis  leucops, 
Cope.) 

7.  N.    telescopus,  Cope.      Similar,  but  more  slender 
(usually),  and  the  mouth  more  oblique;  dorsal  still  less 
posterior,  midway  between  snout  and  origin  of  caudal; 
sea  green;  dorsal  scales  dark-edged;  sides  silvery;  eye 
larger,  2f  in  head;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  10;  lat.  1.  38.     Tennes- 
see River;  perhaps  a  variety  of  the  preceding. 

8.  N.     lirus,    Jordan.       STEEL  -  SIDED    MINNOW. 
Smaller  than  any  of  the  preceding,  and  very  slender  ; 
the  depth  4f  in  length;  the  head  small,  4J;  scales  very 
small,  and  very  thin,  so  that  young  specimens  appear 
naked;    the   scales  in  front   of   dorsal,    25  in  number, 
especially    small;    fins  small;  dorsal  far  back;  head  in 
spring   males   strongly   tuberculate,    and   the  fins   red; 
color,  very  pale  transparent   green;  sides   with  a  very 
distinct  metallic  steel-blue  band;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  10;  lat. 
1.  45;  L.  2$.  .Tennessee  and  Alabama  Rivers;  a  strongly 
marked  species,  related  to  the  genus  Lythrurus,  but  the 
teeth  are  sharp-edged. 

10.  CLIO  LA,  Girard.     WHITE  -  CHEEKED  SHINERS. 
(Photogenis,  Cope — in  part;  Episema,  Cope  &  Jordan.) 

1.  C.    ariomma,    (Cope)    Jor.      BIG  -  EYED    SHINER. 
General  appearance  of  N.  rubellus,  but  larger,  reaching 
a  length  of  nearly  5  inches;  eye  very  large,  2-J-  in  head, 
relatively  larger  than  in  any  other  of  our  Minnows;  head 
large;  bluish  above,  sides  bright  silvery;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  9; 
lat.  1.  40.     White   R.,   Indiana,  abundant,  but  not  yet 
recognized  elsewhere. 

2.  C.  scabriceps,  (Cope)  Jor.   ROUGH-HEADED  SHINER. 
Head  broad,  prickly  in  spring;  eye  large,  3  in  head; 


CYPBTNID^E. — CVHI.  299 

head  flattish  above;  mouth  little  oblique;  greenish,  sides 
leaden  silvery;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  38.     Ohio  Valley. 

3.  C.  leucioda,  (Cope)  Jor.  Head  4£  in  length;  eye 
moderate,  3^  in  head;  olive,  scales  above  dark-edged; 
sides  silvery  with  a  purple  band;  muzzle  and  base  of 
dorsal  red  in  males;  a  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal  fin; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  39.  Tennessee  River. 

//.  ER  ICY  MB  A,  Cope.  EBICYMBAS. 
1.  £.  buccata,  Cope.  SILVER  -  MOUTHED  DACE. 
Elongate;  depth  nearly  5  in  length;  head  4;  eye  large, 
3  in  head;  olivaceous  above,  sides  brilliantly  silvery,  a 
narrow  vertebral  line,  and  a  lateral  chain  of  brown  dots; 
upper  jaw  rather  large,  its  profile  angulated;  mucous 
channels  in  lower  jaw  very  conspicuous;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8; 
lat.  1.  33;  L.  5.  Ohio  Valley,  Penn.  to  Kentucky, 
and  Illinois,  abundant.  A  beautiful  little  fish  singularly 
distinguished  from  all  our  other  species  by  the  cavernous 
bones  of  the  head. 

12.  PHENACOBIUS,  Cope.     PHENACOBIES. 
(=Sarcidium^  Cope.) 

1.  P.  uranops,  Cope.     Head  4f  in  length;  body  very 
long  and  slender,  nearly  cylindric;  isthmus  very  wide; 
chest  naked;  eyes  large,  high  up,  3£  in  head;  depth  6£; 
lips  very  thick,  tuberculate;  pale,  a  darker  lateral  streak; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  60.     Tennessee  R. 

2.  P.  teretu/us,  Cope.      Head=depth,  4f  in  length; 
form  stouter  than  in  the  preceding;  chest  scaled;  lips 
plicate;  a  dusky  lateral  band;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  43. 
Streams  of  W.  Va. 

3.  P.  scopiferus,   (Cope)    Jor.      Form    comparatively 
stout;  depth  4  in  length;  head  not  large,  4f  in  length; 


300  FISHES. 

lower  lip  developed  only  on  the  sides  of  the  jaw  as  a 
conspicuous  lobe;  thorax  naked;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1. 
44.  Missouri  to  Illinois.  (P.  teretulus^  var.  liosternus^ 
Nelson.) 

13.  GILA,  Baird  and  Girard.     LONG-JAWED  SHINERS. 

*  Scales  very  small;  mouth  large,  very  oblique,  the  lower  jaw 
projecting  and  considerably  compressed;  form  elongate ;  size 
small.  (Clinostomus,  Grd.) 

1.  G.  e/ongafa,  (Kirt.)  Jordan.     RED-SIDED  MINNOW. 
Dark  bluish,  mottled  by  paler  scales;  sides  with  a  broad 
black  band,  the  front  half  of  which  is  bright  crimson  in 
the  spring;  a  dark  dorsal  stripe;  mouth  very  large,  the 
lower  jaw  narrowed  and  projecting  farther  than  in  any 
other  of  our  Dace;  a  little  knob  at  the  tip  which  over- 
laps the  end  of  the  upper  jaw;  body  much  elongated, 
but  little  compressed;  depth  5  in  length;  head  4£;  eye 
moderate,  about  3|  in  head;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  70  to 
75;  L.  4.     Great  Lakes,  Ohio  Valley,  etc.;  a  handsome 
species. 

2.  G.  proriger,  Cope.     LONG-JAWED  SHINER.    Rather 
more  compressed  than  the  preceding;  and  paler  in  color 
with  larger  scales;  lat.  1.  60  to  65;  otherwise  very  similar, 
perhaps  a  variety;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7.     Ohio  Valley. 

3.  G.  estor,  Jordan  &  Brayton.     PIKE  SHINER.    Body 
quite  deep  and  compressed;  depth  4£  in  length;  head 
very  long  and  large,  3J  in  length;  mouth  very  large  and 
oblique,   even  larger  than   in   6r.  elongata;  lateral   line 
strongly  decurved;  scales  moderate,  much  larger  than  in 
the    preceding;    lat.  1.    50;   D.    I,  8;    A.  I,  8;    teeth 
2,  4 — 5,  2;  color  bluish  olive;  sides  silvery,  bright  crim- 
son in  males;  no  dark  lateral  band.     Cumberland  and 
Tennessee  Rivers. 


CYPRLNIDJE. — CYIII.  301 

4.  G.  funduloides,  (Grd.)  Cope.    ROSY  DACE.    A  light 
and  a  dark  lateral  band;  snout  pointed;  mandible  shorter 
than  in  the  preceding,  less  compressed;  eye  larger,  3  in 
head;  depth  5  in  length;  head  4J;  D.  I,  9;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1. 
48.     Streams  about  Chesapeake  Bay  and  S. 

5.  G.  vandoisula,  (Val.)  Jor.     Body  deeper,  depth= 
length  of  head,  3f  in  body;  eye  rather  small,  3£  in  head; 
no  dark  lateral  band;  sides  rosy,  fins  orange;  D.  I,  9; 
A.  I,   8;   lat.   1.   53.     Virginia  to  South   Carolina.      (C. 
affinis,  Grd.     C.  carolinus,  Grd.) 

14.  NOTEMIGONUS,  Rafinesque.     GOLDEN  SHINERS. 
=  Stilbe,  DeKay  (preoccupied  in  Botany.) 
=  Stilbius,  Gill  (substitute  for  Stilbe.) 
=  Luxilus,  Girard  (not  of  Raf.) 
=  Leucosomus,  Storer  (not  of  Heckel.) 
=  Plargyrus,  Putnam  (not  of  Raf.) 
<  Abramis,  Cuvier  (a  closely  related  European  genus.) 

1.  N.  chrysoleucus,  (Mitch.)  Jordan.  SHINER.  STILBE. 
BREAM.  Body  much  compressed;  abdomen  trenchant; 
head  small,  about  4  in  length;  depth  3  (2-j-  to  4);  lateral 
line  much  decurved;  scales  small  on  the  back,  much 
larger  below;  dark  steel  blue  or  green  above,  sides 
silvery  or  golden,  every  where  with  brilliant  reflections, 
green,  yellow,  and  red;  young  specimens  paler,  looking 
like  young  Luxili,  but  the  adults  are  among  the  largest 
in  the  family  and  bear  a  strong  resemblance  to  Shad,  a 
circumstance  which  has  misled  many  observers,  and 
among  them  Rafinesque;  D.  I,  7;  A.  I,  14.;  lat.  1.  45  to 
50.  New  England  to  Minnesota  and  S.;  abundant  in 
bayous,  ponds,  and  weedy  streams;  this  species  is  much 
more  tenacious  of  life  than  is  any  other  of  our  Cypri- 
f  10  ids.  [W.  auratus,  Raf.  $.  chrysoleuca,  ( Mitch. ) 
DeK.  A.  versicolor,  DeK.] 


302  FISHES. 

2.  N.  amer/canus,  (L.)  Jor.  SOUTHERN  BREAM.  Body 
rather  more  elongate,  still  more  strongly  compressed; 
head  flattish  above;  eyes  very  large,  3  in  head  (instead 
of  4);  anal  fin  much  larger  than  in  JV.  chrysoleucus; 
D.  1,  8;  A.  I,  16;  lat.  1.  43;  coloration  pale;  males 
with  the  lower  fins  scarlet.  Virginia  to  Georgia.  (N. 
ischanus,  Jor.) 

15.  CHROSOMUS,  Rafinesque.    ^ED-BELLIED  MINNOWS. 
1.  C.  eryihrogaster,   Raf.      CHROSOMUS.     RED -BEL- 
LIED DACE.     Brownish  olive,  with  black  spots  on  the 
back,  a  black  or  brown  band  from  above  the  eye,  straight 
to  the  tail;  another  below,  running  through  eye,  decurved 
along  the  lateral  line;  belly  and  space  between  bands 
bright  silvery,  brilliant  scarlet  red  in  spring  males,  as 
are  the  bases  of  the  vertical  fins;  a  dark  vertebral  line; 
females  obscurely  marked;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  9;  lat.  1.  80  to 
90.  Penn.  to  Wis.  and  Tenn.,  abundant  in  small  streams; 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  our  fishes;  in  high  coloration 
the   fins  are  bright  yellow,  and  the  body  is   minutely 
tuberculate.      There  seems  to  be  but  one  well-defined 
species.     It  is  the  most  desirable  of  all  our  minnows  for 
aquarium  purposes,  being  hardy,  graceful,  and  brilliantly 
colored. 

16.  PHOXINUS,   Rafinesque   (1820  !).      EUROPEAN  MIN- 

NOWS. 

*  Lateral  line  very  short. 

1.  P.  neogceus,  Cope.  NEW  WORLD  MINNOW.  Black- 
ish above,  a  broad  black  lateral  band  through  eye, 
becoming  a  spot  on  the  tail;  belly  white;  .fins  dusky; 
head  large,  3J  in  length;  depth  rather  less;  mouth  large, 
oblique;  eye  large;  D.  I,  7;  A.  1,7;  L.  3;  lat.  1.  77. 
Southern  Mich.  (Cope)',  Baraboo  R.,  Wis.  (Bundy)\  a 


'/ 

curious  fish,  related  to  the  Minnow  of  Europe  *B'  7 — -~ 

Ag.)  '-Q 

2.  P.  flammeus,  Jordan  &  Gilbert.   FLAMING  MINNOW/^ 
Black  above,  silvery  below;  a  black  lateral  band;  belly 
flame    color   in   spring   males;  body   stout,  depth  4   in 
length;  head  about  the  same;  mouth  small,  oblique,  the 
lower  jaw   projecting;  scales  much   larger  than  in  P. 
neogceus;  lat.  1.  43;  D.  I,  8;  A.  L,  8;  tubes  of  lateral 
line  developed  only  on  14  scales.     Elk  River,  Tennessee. 

**  Lateral  line  almost  complete. 

3.  P.  margaritus,  (Cope)    Jor.    PEARLY  DACE.     Head 
=depth  4  in  body;  scales  small,  much  crowded  forwards; 
lateral  line  hardly  complete,  the  tubes  wanting  on  the 
last  3  to  8  scales;  head  blunt,  short  and  rounded;  mouth 
quite  small,  oblique,  the  upper  jaw  the  longer,  the  lower 
jaw  not   compressed;    color   light   olive;    sides   dusky; 
belly  in  summer  bright  crimson;   D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat. 
1.  58.     Teeth  2  5 — 4,  2;  a  stout-bodied  species. 

17.  HEMITREMIA,  Cope.     HEMITREMES. 
*  Teeth  4—5. 

1.  H.  vittata,  Cope.    SOUTHERN  HEMITREMIA.    Dusky; 
a  black  lateral  band,  and  above  this  several  paler  aad 
smaller  ones,  the  upper  running  into  the  dorsal  line ;  fins 
small;  depth  4  in  length;  head  4£;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7; 
lat.  1.  34;  L.  2.     Head  waters  of  Tennessee  and  Cumber- 
land Rivers.     (Description  from  Kentucky  specimens.) 

**  Teeth  4-4. 

2.  H.    heierodon,    Cope.      NORTHERN   HEMITREMIA. 
Head  =  depth,   about   4    in   length;    snout   flat,   rather 
pointed;    back    compressed,    elevated;    olive,    a   dusky 
lateral  shade;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  35.     Mich.,  Wis. 

3.  H.  bifrenaia,  Cope.     EASTERN  HEMITREMIA.    Head 


304  FISHES. 

= depth,  4^  in  length;  snout  blunt;  olive,  a  burnished, 
jet-black  lateral  band  of  a  deeper  color  than  in  any 
other  small  minnow;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  36.  Mass, 
to  Md.,  abundant. 

18.  SEMOTILUS,  Rafinesque.     CHUBS. 

*  Dorsal  fin  well  behind  ventrals,  with  a  black  spot  at  base ;  scales 
small,  crowded  forwards,  45  to  70  in  the  lateral  line.  (Semo- 
tilus.) 

1.  S.  corpora/is,  (Mitch.)   Putnam.      COMMON  CHUB. 
HORNED  DACE.     Body  stout,  depth  4-J  in  length;  head 
large,  3f ;  dusky  above,  especially  along  edges  of  scales; 
sides  bluish,  a   black   lateral   band   in   young;    silvery 
below,  sides  and  fins  flushed  with  crimson  in  spring; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  55  to  65;  L.  10  to  12.     New  Eng- 
land (Housatonic  R.,  Jordari)  to  the  Missouri  region  and 
S.;  the  most  widely  diffused  of  our  Cyprinidce,  except- 
ing N~ocomis  biguttatus.      It  may  be   known  under  all 
circumstances  by  the  large  head  and  the  peculiar  dorsal 
spot.     (S.  atromaculatus    dorsalis,  cephalus,  speciosus, 
etc.,  etc.,  of  authors.) 

**  Dorsal  very  slightly  behind  ventrals,  without  black  spot  at 
base  in  front ;  scales  large,  about  50  in  lateral  line,  not  much 
crowded  forwards.  (Leucosomus,  Heckel.) 

2.  S.  bullaris,  (Raf.)  Jor.    FALL  FISH.    DACE.    ROACH. 
Brownish    above,   with   blue    reflections;    sides    silvery, 
rosy   in    spring;   depth  4-J  in  length;  head  4;  D.  1,  8; 
A.  I,  8;  lat,  1.  46  to  50;  largest  of  our  Eastern  Cyprinidce^ 
reaching  a  length  of  18  inches.     New  England  to  Vir- 
ginia, generally  abundant  in  the   rapids  of  the  larger 
streams.      (Semotilus  rhotheus,  argenteus  and  pulchellus, 
Auct.;  Leucosomus  cataractus,  Baird.) 

20.  PLATYGOBIO,  Gill.     FLAT -HEADED  CHUBS. 
1.  P.  gracilis,  (Rich.)   Gill  &  Jordan.     Body  long  and 


CYPBINTD.E.  —  cvm.  305 

slender;  mouth  large,  the  upper  jaw  longest;  barbel 
well  developed;  fins  large;  head  small  and  much  flat- 
tened above;  scales  large,  olivaceous;  sides  silvery. 
D.  I,  7;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  50.  Minnesota  north  and  west, 
abundant;  a  large  species  of  a  singular  form.  (Pogon- 
ichthys  communis,  B.  &  G.) 

20.  *CERAT/CHTHYS,  Baird.     HORNY  HEADS. 
iS)  Girard.) 


*  Mouth  terminal,  large  ;  teeth  4  —  4  (sometimes  1,  4  —  4,  1)  ;  size 
large  ;  dorsal  over  ventrals. 

1.  C.    b/guttatus,    (  Kirt.  )    Girard.       HORXED   CHUB. 
JERKER.      Bluish   olive,   sides    with   bright   green   and 
coppery  reflections;  a  curved  blotch  behind  the  opercle; 
fins  pale  orange,  unspotted;  white  below,  rosy  in  spring; 
adult  males  in  the  spring  with  the  top  of  the  head  very 
much  swollen,  elevated  into  a  sort  of  crest,  sometimes 
nearly  one-third  of  an  inch  higher  than  the  level  of  the 
neck,  covered  with  large  tubercles;  a  stout  species,  with 
large  scales   which  are  not  crowded  anteriorly;  young 
with  a  dark  caudal  spot;  head  4  in  length;  depth  nearly 
the  same;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  40  to  45;  L.  6  to  9. 
Penn.  to  Utah  and  S.;  abundant  almost  every  where;  the 
most  widely  diffused  of  all  our  fresh  water  fishes.     [C. 
biguttatus,    (Kirt.)    Bd.,    C.   stigmaticus^   cyclotis,   etc., 
Cope.]     Breeding  males  sometimes  have  a  red  spot  on 
each  side  of  head,  hence  the  specific  name. 

2.  C.  micropogon,  Cope.     Head  short,  almost  exactly 
as  in  Luxilus  cornutus;  barbel  small;  caudal  peduncle 
slender;  teeth  4  —  4;  lat.  1.40.     Conestoga  R.;  but  one 
specimen  known  —  perhaps  a  hybrid. 

»  This  genus  is  called  Nocomis,  in  the  analysis  of  genera  at  the  beginning 
Of  the  account  of  the  Cyprinidce, 


306  FISHES. 

**  Mouth  sub-inferior,  rather  small,  the  upper  jaw  the  longer; 
size  not  large;  teeth  4 — 4,  or  1,  4 — 4,  1. 

f  Dorsal  fin  in  advance  of  ventrals. 

a.  Lateral  line  36  to  40;  head  short;  lips  little  developed; 
teeth  1,  4r-4,  1. 

3.  C.  amblops,   (Raf.)   Cope   &   Jordan.      BIG -EYED 
CHUB.     Head  rather  broad;  eye  large,  3  in  head,  greater 
than  the  width  of  the  broad  interorbital  space;   snout 
blunt;  barbels  well  developed;  mouth  rather  larger  than 
in  the  next;   color  olivaceous  or  bluish,  sides  silvery, 
often  with  a  dusky  band;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  38.    Ohio 
Valley;  resembles  somewhat  Cliola  ariomma^  but  has  a 
very  different  mouth. 

4.  C.   winchelli,  (Grd.)  Jor.     CLEAR  CHUB.     Head  nar- 
rower; eye  large,  3  in  head,  much  wider  than  the  narrow 
interorbital  space;  snout  moderately  blunt;  barbels  short; 
colors   darker,  a  dark  lateral   stripe.     Tennessee  River 
and  South,   perhaps  a  variety  of  the  preceding.      (C. 
hyalinus,  Cope.) 

aa.  Lateral  line  45  to  50;  long,  slender  species,  with  the  head 
elongate ;  lips  more  developed ;  teeth  4 — 4. 

5.  C.  dissimilis,    (Kirt.)    Cope.      SPOTTED    SHINER. 
Pale    olivaceous,    sides    bright   silvery,    with    a    bluish 
lateral  band,  widened  at  intervals  into  spots;  fins  immac- 
culate;  depth  5  in  length;  head  4;  eye  large,  3^-  in  head; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  47  to  50;  L.  6.     Ohio  Valley  and 
Lake  region,  not  uncommon. 

ft  Dorsal  fin  inserted  distinctly  behind  ventrals;  lips  greatly 
developed ;  a  black  blotch  on  last  rays  of  dorsal. 

6.  C.  monachus,    Cope.        SOLITARY     CHUB.      Form 
elongate,    as    in    Phenacobius  •    a   dark    caudal    spot; 
eye  small,  4  in  head;  lat.  1.  56.     Tennessee  R.     Several 


.  —  cvni.  307 


brightly   colored   species   allied    to   this   occur   farther 
South. 

**  Mouth  terminal;  teeth  2,  4  —  4,  2;  size  large;   dorsal  very 
slightly  behind  ventrals. 

7.  C.  prosthemiuSr    Cope.      LAKE    CHUB.      Depth    5 
in  length,  equal  to  length  of   head;    eye    4    in    head; 
snout  blunt;  mouth  small;  dusky  above,  sides  plumbeous; 
lat.  1.  63;  L.  6  to  7.     Great  Lakes. 

8.  C.  milneri,  Jordan.      MILNER'S  CHUB.      Depth  4£ 
in  length,   equal  to   head;   head  flattish  above,  with  a 
broad    snout    which    projects    over   the    large    oblique 
mouth;  barbel  well  developed;  eye  large,  3f  in  head; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  68;   scales   crowded  forwards; 
colors  of  Semotilus  corporalis,  but  the  fins  unspotted. 
Lake  Superior. 

22.  RHINICHTHYS,  Agassiz.     LONG-NOSED  DACE. 

=  Argyreus,  Heckel  (preoccupied.) 

*  Snout  projecting  considerably  beyond  the  mouth;  body  slender, 
depth  usually  5  to  6  in  length  ;  barbels  evident. 

1.  R.  cataractce,  (C.  &  V.)  Jor.     LONG  -  NOSED  DACE. 
Brownish,  mottled,  not  banded;   eye  half  the  length  of 
the   long  snout;   head   3f  in   length;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7; 
lat.  1.  63;  L,  5.     New  England  to  Va.  and  Wis.,  in  clear 
brooks.     [7?.  nasutus,  (Ayres)  Ag.] 

2.  ff.  marmoratus,   Ag.      MARBLED    DACE.      Brown, 
marbled;  eye  2-J-  in  snout;  head  4J-  in  length;  lat.  1.  70. 
Great  Lakes.     (Doubtfully  distinct.) 

**  Snout  scarcely  projecting;  body  stout;  depth  4  to  5  in  length; 

barbels  scarcely  visible. 
f  A  distinct  dark  band  from  snout  to  caudal  (red  in  spring.) 

3.  If.  afronasus,  (Mitch.)  Ag.     BLACK-  NOSED  DACE. 
Dusky,  belly  silvery;  lateral   band   bright   crimson  in 


308  PISHES. 

spring,  becoming  orange  in  summer,  black  at  other 
times;  fins  often  rosy  in  spring;  depth  4f-  in  length; 
head  3f;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  65.  New  England  to 
Ohio  Valley,  in  clear  brooks;  abundant  Eastward. 

4.  R.  obtusus,  Ag.     BROWN- NOSED  DACE.     Similar; 
sides  with  a  brown  band,  edged  above  and  below  with 
paler;  head  4  or  more  in  length;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1. 
63  to  70.     Western  streams.     Usually  paler  than  the 
preceding  and  more  robust  in  form;  probably  a  variety 
rather  than  a  distinct  species.     (R.  lunatus,  Cope.) 

***  Snout  projecting;  barbels  quite  evident;  form  stoutest;  depth 
4i  in  length. 

5.  R.   meleagris,   Agassiz.      Head   4 — 44  in   length; 
barbels  long  and  distinct;   snout  projecting,  narrowed, 
overlapping  the  lower  jaw;  eye  small,  5  in  head;  D.  I,  7; 
A.  I,  7.     Illinois  and  Iowa. 

23.  EXOGLOSSUM,  Rafmesque.     STONE  TOTERS. 

1.  E.  maxillilingua,  (LeS.)  Haldeman.  DAY  CHUB. 
CUT- LIPS.  NIGGER  CHUB.  Body  stout;  depth  4£  in 
length,  head  4;  eye  small,  nearly  5  in  head;  dorsal  be- 
hind midway  between  snout  and  caudal;  dusky  above, 
a  blackish  shade  along  caudal  peduncle;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8; 
lat.  1.  50  to  55;  L.  4  to  6.  W.  N.  Y.  (Susquehanna  basin) 
to  Virginia;  a  fish  of  remarkable  appearance,  singularly 
distinguished  from  all  our  other  Cyprinidoe  by  the  three- 
lobed  lower  jaw. 

24.  CARASSIUS,  Nilsson.  CRUCIAN  CARPS. 
1.  C.  auratus,  (L.)  Bleeker.  GOLD  FISH.  Orange  or 
blackish,  rarely  pale;  D.  I,  19;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  26;  ex- 
ceedingly variable  in  domestication.  Asia;  common  every 
where  in  aquaria,  uid  now  naturalized  in  many  of  our 
eastern  streams. 


CATOSTOMID^. — CIX.  309 

25.  CYPRINUS,  Linnaeus.     CARPS. 
1.    C.    carp/o,    L.      EUROPEAN    CARP.      Olivaceous; 
D.  Ill,  20;  A.  Ill,  5;  lat.  1.  37.     European,  introduced 
into  some  eastern  rivers. 

FAMILY  CIX.-CATOSTOMID^E. 

(The  Suckers.) 

Cyprinoid  fishes  of  medium  or  large  size,  with  the 
pharyngeal  teeth  in  a  single  series,  very  numerous  and 
closely  set;  intermaxillaries  forming  but  a  small  part  of 
the  upper  arch  of  the  mouth,  the  maxillaries  entering 
into  it  extensively  on  each  side;  mouth  toothless,  with 
fleshy  lips,  extremely  protractile,  roundish  when  fully 
protruded;  dorsal  fin  long;  anal  short  and  rather  high; 
no  barbels;  scales  large;  head  naked;  air  bladder  large, 
divided  into  two  or  three  parts  by  transverse  constric- 
tions. Genera  twelve,  Pantosteus,  Cope,  and  the  follow- 
ing; species  about  fifty,  abounding  every  where  north 
of  Mexico;  one  genus  (Myxocyprinus)  occurs  in  China, 
and  a  species  ofCatostomits  in  Siberia;  all  the  rest  are 
North  American. 

*  Body  oblong  or  elongate,  with  a  short,  sub-quadrate  dorsal  fin 
of  10  to  17  developed  rays ;  anal  rays  uniformly  7.  (Catosto- 
mincB.) 

f  Mouth  singular;  the  upper  lip  not  protractile,  greatly 
enlarged;  the  lower  lip  developed  as  two  separate  lobes; 
the  lower  jaw  provided  with  a  sheath, 

a.  Air  bladder  in  three  parts ;  scales  large,  sub-equal ;  pharyn- 
geal bones  and  teeth  ordinary ;  fontanelle  well  developed ; 

lateral  line  present LAGOCHILA,  1. 

ff  Mouth  normal,  the  lower  lip  undivided  or  merely  lobed — 
either  tuberculate  or  plicate. 

6.  Air  bladder  in  three  parts ;  lateral  line  present;  fontanelle 
present;  scales  large,  sub-equal;  ventral  rays  normally, 
but  not  constantly,  9. 


310  FISHES. 

c.  Pharyngeal  bones  very  broad  and  strong ;  the  lower 
7  to  10  teeth  on  each  side,  greatly  enlarged  and  trun- 
cate; the  teeth  on  the  upper  part  of  the  bone  small, 
as  usual  in  the  family.  .  .  PLACOPHARYNX,  2. 

cc.  Pharyngeal  bones  not  especially  enlarged;  the  teeth 
strongly  compressed,  of  the  usual  type.  ' 

MYXOSTOMA,  3. 
bb.  Air  bladder  in  two  parts. 

d.  No  lateral  line;  fontanelle  present;  lips  plicate;  no 
rnandibulary  sheath ;  scales  large  j  ventral  rays  9. 

MlNYTREMA,  4,  ERIMYZON,  4,  5. 

dd.  Lateral  line  well  developed ;  lips  tuberculate. 
e.  Fontanelle  distinct ;  no  mandibulary  sheath. 
/.  Scales  moderate,  not  crowded  forwards,  about 
equal  over  the  body ;  body  long  and  little  com- 
pressed;  head  transversely  concave   between 
orbits,  long  and  flattened ;   the  physiognomy 
being  therefore  peculiar ;  ventral  rays  9. 

HYPENTELIUM,  6. 

ff.  Scales  small,  smaller  anteriorly  and  much 
crowded;  head  transversely  convex  between 
orbits ;  ventral  rays  normally  10. 

CATOSTOMUS,  7. 

*  Body  much  elongated,  sub-cylindrical  forwards ;  dorsal  elongate, 
falciform,  of  30  or  more  rays ;  fontanelle  obliterated  by  the 
union  of  the  parietal  bones.  (CydeptinoB.) 

g.  Mouth  small,  subinferior,  with  papillose  lips ;  scales  rather 

small CYCLEPTUS,  8. 

***  Body  oblong  oval,  compressed ;  dorsal  elongate,  elevated  in 
front,    of    20   or   more    rays;    fontanelle    present.      (Buba- 
lichthyince.) 
h.  Dorsal  rays  about  30  in  number  (24  to  33) ;  anal  rays  about 

10  (9  to  12) ;  scales  large. 
i.  Pharyngeal  bones  narrow,  with  the  teeth  relatively  thin  and 


j.  Mouth  small,  inferior,  protractile  downwards ;  dorsal  fin 
often  greatly  elevated,       ,       .       ,       CARPIODEB,  9. 


CATOSTOMTD.E. — ClX. 

jj.  Mouth  larger,  sub-terminal,  protractile  forwards  (species 
of  larger  size,  dusky  colors,  with  lower  dorsal). 

ICHTHYOBUS,  10* 

ii.  Pharyngeal  bones  strong ;  the  teeth  comparatively  coarse 
and  large,  increasing  in  size  downwards;  dorsal  fin 
moderately  elevated ;  mouth  inferior.  BUBALICHTHYS,  11. 

/.  LAGOCHILA,  Jordan  &  Brayton.     HARE  LIP  SUCKERS. 
(Not  Lagocheilus,  Blanford,  nor  Layochila^  Loew.) 

1.  L  lacera,  Jor.  &  Brayt.  HARE  LIP  SUCKER.  SPLIT 
MOUTH  SUCKER.  Head  short,  4f  in  body,  with  length- 
ened, non -protractile  fleshy  snout;  body  elongate,  its 
depth  about  5  in  length;  eye  medium,  set  far  back,  the 
opercle  small;  fins  not  large;  scales,  etc.,  as  in  Myxos- 
toma;  D.  I,  12;  A.  I,  7;  V.  9;  lat.  1.  45.  Tennessee 
and  Cumberland  Rivers;  a  most  remarkable  species, 
bearing  the  same  relation  to  the  other  C atostomidce,  that 
JSxoglossum  does  to  the  other  Cyprinidaz.  It  seems  to 
possess  real  affinities  with  Exoglossum. 

2.  PLACO PHARYNX,  Cope.     PLACOPHARYNX. 

1.  P.  carinatus,  Cope.  COPE'S  SUCKER.  Resembles 
M.  anisura,  but  the  lips  and  pharyngeal  bones  quite 
different;  eye  4J-  in  head;  head  4  in  length;  depth  3f ; 
head  strongly  ridged  above;  pharyngeal  bones  very 
heavy,  the  lower  7  to  12  teeth  on  each  side  very  large, 
scarcely  compressed;  truncate,  irregularly  placed;  D.  I, 
14;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  41;  head  with  a  median  ridge  on  top; 
a  large,  coarse  species  similar  in  general  characters  to 
Myxostoma,  but  with  the  physiognomy  approaching 
somewhat  that  of  Ichthyobus.  It  is  probably  common 
in  the  Western  streams,  although  it  was  not  noticed 
until  1870.  I  have  specimens  from  the  Illinois,  Wabash, 
Detroit,  Falls  of  the  Ohio  and  the  Scioto. 


312  FISHES. 

3.  MYXOSTOMA,  Rafinesque.     RED  HOUSE. 

(Moxostoma  et  Teretulus,  Raf.) 

(Ptychostomus,  Agassiz.) 

*  Lower  lip  not  infolded  and  "  yy  shaped ; "  lips  distinctly  pli, 
cate. 

f  Lower  lip  full,  its  posterior  edge  truncate  or  slightly  rounded. 
a.  Species  with  the  body  distinctly  compressed,  the  depth  3i 

to  nearly  5  in  length. 
6.  Dorsal  fin  largely  developed,  the  rays  15  to  18  in  number. 

1.  M.  carp/'o,  (Cuv.  &  Val.)  Jordan.  WHITE  MULLET 
OF  THE  LAKES.  Head  rather  large,  3f  to  4 J  in  length, 
broad  above;  mouth  large,  with  full  lips;  eye  rather 
large;  body  deep,  strongly  compressed;  the  back  some- 
what elevated,  the  depth  about  3^  in  length;  dorsal  fin 
high  and  largo,  larger  than  in  any  of  the  others;  scales 
5 — 43 — 4,*  quite  large;  coloration  very  pa'le  and  silvery, 
the  lower  fins  white.  Great  Lakes,  and  occasionally  in 
the  Ohio  River;  a  handsome  and  well  defined  species. 
bb.  Dorsal  fin  moderate,  its  rays  12  to  14  in  number. 
c.  Caudal  fin  normal,  the  two  lobes  about  equal  and  similarly 

colored. 

d.  Scales  large,  41  to  50  in  the  course  of  the  lateral  line. 
e.  Head  singular  in  form,  much  shortened,  the  muzzle  very 
abruptly  decurved,  descending  almost  perpendicularly 
in  front  of  the  eye ;  the  head  wedge  -  shaped  from  be- 
hind forwards,  and  less  so  from  below  upwards,  its 
sides  subvertical  and  the  lower  cross-diameter  of  the 
head  greater  than  the  upper. 

2.  M.  euryops,  Jordan.  SNUB  -  NOSED  SUCKEE.  Eye 
very  large,  more  than  one-third  the  length  of  the  side 
of  the  head  (in  an  individual  of  six  inches  -in  length); 

*  That  is.  43  scales  in  the  lateral  line,  5  rows  between  the  lateral  line  and  the 
dorsal  fin,  and  4  between  it  and  the  ventrals. 


CATOSTOMID^. — CIX.  313 

lips  thin,  very  faintly  plicate;  width  of  head  through  the 
opercles  greater  than  the  thickness  of  the  body;  head  4^- 
in  length;  depth  about  the  same;  dorsal  rays  13;  scales 
6 — 43 — 5;  body  shortish,  closely  compressed,  the  back 
somewhat  elevated,  and  the  caudal  peduncle  unusually 
long  in  proportion ;  color  smoky  blue ;  lower  fins  white ; 
size  probably  small.     Alabama  River. 
ee.  Head  normal  in  form,  not  as  above. 
/.  Mouth  moderate  or  large,  not  very  small,  nor  very  much 

overpassed  by  the  muzzle;   lips  thick,  strongly  plicate; 

body  stoutish,  varying  to  moderately  elongate;  dorsal  fin 

medium,  its  developed  rays  12  to  14,  usually  13  in  number ; 

scales  large,  about  6 — 45 — 5 ;  lower  fins  in  the  adult  red  or 

orange. 

3.  M.  macrolepidota,  (LeS.)  Jordan.  RED  HORSE. 
COMMON  MULLET.  Head  comparatively  elongate,  4  to 
5  in  length;  mouth  large;  size  very  large,  reaching  a 
length  of  two  feet  or  more.  U.  S.,  east  of  the  Great 
Plains,  every  where  common,  except  in  New  England. 

Var.  duquesnii,  (LeS.)  Jordan.  COMMON  RED  HORSE. 
WHITE  SUCKER.  Head  quite  elongate,  4  to  4|  in  length ; 
back  little  elevated;  body  rather  elongate,  not  greatly 
compressed;  scales  pretty  large,  6 — 42  to  49 — 5;  back 
bluish  or  olive;  sides  brilliantly  silvery,  with  bright 
reflections;  dorsal  fin  dusky  above;  lower  fins  bright  red. 
Ohio  River  and  Southward,  very  abundant,  the  common 
"  Red  Horse  "  in  most  regions. 

Var.  lachrymalis,  (Cope)  Jordan.  Southern  R.  Head 
a  little  shorter,  4^-  to  4-|  in  length;  form  of  the  preceding; 
scales  distinctly  smaller,  7  or  8 — 48  to  50 — 6;  back  with 
much  smoky  shading.  Virginia  to  Alabama. 

Var.  macrolepidota,  (LeS.)  Jor.  LAKE  MULLET. 
EASTERN  RED  HORSE.  Head  still  shorter  and  deeper,  44 

14 


314  FISHES. 

to  5  in  length;  its  upper  profile  concurrent  with  the  curve 
of  the  back,  which  is  considerably  elevated;  the  form 
being  thus  somewhat  elliptical;  sides  compressed;  dorsal 
rays  usually  13;  coloration  little  silvery,  the  sides  reflect- 
ing brownish  and  golden;  back  smoky,  some  of  the 
scales  dusky  at  base;  scales  6 — 42  to  50 — 5.  Great 
Lakes  and  streams  Eastward,  from  Vermont  to  South 
Carolina.  (P.  robustus,  Cope,  C.  oneida^  DeKay.) 

4.  It.  aureola,  (LeS.)  Jordan.     GOLDEN  RED  HORSE. 
LAKE   MULLET.      Head   comparatively   short,   low   and 
small,  5  to  5-J  in  length;  back  elevated  and  compressed; 
depth  3^-  in  length;  mouth  rather  small,  more   or  less 
overpassed    by  the   snout;    coloration   bright   yellowish 
brown,   etc.,  not  silvery;  lower  fins  bright   red;  dorsal 
rays  13;  scales  6 — 42  to  48 — 5;  size  large.     Great  Lakes, 
Ohio  Valley  and  Northward. 

ff.  Mouth  very  small,  much  overpassed  oy  the  conic  muzzle ;  head 
small,  about  5  in  length. 

5.  /Iff.  crass/'/abr/s,    (Cope,    uordan.      THICK-LIPPED 
MULLET.     Body   flattish,   the    back  elevated  and   com- 
pressed; depth  3f ;  muzzle  contracted;  scales  large,  5 — 
44 — 5;  dorsal   rays  usually   12;    dorsal    fin    elevated  in 
front,  its  first  soft  ray  longer  than  the  base  of  the  fin; 
color   silvery,  with  smoky   shading  above,   some  of  the 
scales  blackish  at  their  bases;  lower  fins  white;  top  of 
head,  humeral  bar  and  dorsal  fin  dusky.     Neuse  River. 

6.  Jiff,  conus,  (Cope)  Jordan.     CONE-HEADED  SUCKER. 
Body  flattish,  the  dorsal  outline  elevated,  the  form  being 
like  that  of  Jfcf.  coregonusj  head  small  and  conic;  mouth 
exceedingly  small,  the  snout  far  overpassing  it,  the  muz- 
zle being  much  longer  than  in  M.  crassilabris"  dorsal 
rays  14;  eye  large;  coloration  smoky  above,  some  scales 
dusky  at  their  bases;  sides  pale;  lower  fins  white.     Yad- 
kin  River. 


CATOSTOMIDJE. CIX.  815 

dd.  Scales  very  small  for  the  genus,  about  9 — 56 — 8  in  number ; 

body  moderately  elongate,  the  depth  about  4  in  the  length. 
1.  M.  alblda,  (Grd.)  Jor.  WHITE  SUCKER.  Head 
shortish,  conic,  the  snout  not  much  projecting,  about  4 
in  length;  eye  large;  dorsal  fin  small,  with  about  eleven 
rays,  the  last  rapidly  shortened;  (characters  of  mouth 
unknown,  but  probably  similar  to  macro lepidota  and 
pcecilura;  it  is  said  to  be  "much  larger  than  in  P.  con- 
gestus"*)  Rivers  of  the  Southwest. 

cc.  Upper  lobe  of  the  caudal  falcate,  much  longer  than  the  lower 
(nearly  an  inch  longer  in  specimens  a  foot  long) ;  the  lobes 
similarly  colored ;  dorsal  fin  falcate. 

8.  M.  anisura,    (Raf.)   Jor.      LOXG- TAILED    SUCKER. 
Body  compressed;    back  somewhat  elevated;  depth  3£ 
in  length;  head  conic,  flattish,  5£  in  length;  mouth  very 
small,  much    as   in,   aureola^  which   this   species    much 
resembles;  the  short  high    dorsal    and  peculiar  caudal, 
however,  distinguish  it;    D.   12 — 13,    half   higher   than 
long;  scales  6 — 46 — 5.     Lakes  and    Ohio   Valley.      (C. 
anisurus,  Raf.,  not  of  Kirt.,  nor  of  Agassiz.     P.  brevi- 
ceps,  Cope.) 

ccc.  Lower  lobe  of  the  caudal  very  much  longer  than  the  upper 
and  differently  colored,  the  upper  lobe  in  the  adult  being  red, 
the  inferior  jet-black,  its  two  lowermost  developed  rays  and 
their  membranes  abruptly  white  ( ?  in  both  sexes). 

9.  M.  pcecilura,  Jordan.     VARIEGATED  -  TAILED  MUL- 
LET.    Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed,  somewhat 
elevated  forwards;  depth  4£  in  length;  head  about  the 
same;    mouth    medium,    the    lips    full;  dorsal    rays    13; 
scales  large,   5 — 44 — 4,   coloration   usual  except  of  the 
caudal  fin;  other  fins  all  red,  with  blackish  shadings;  size 
small.     Lower  Mississippi  River. 

aa.  Species  with  the  body  elongate,  little  compressed,  broad ;  the 
depth,  about  5  in  length,  not  very  much  greater  than  the 
thickness. 


316  FISHES. 

10.  M.  cervina,  (Cope)  Jordan.  JUMP-ROCKS.  JUMP- 
ING MULLET.  Head  very  short,  roundish  above,  rather 
pointed  forwards,  about  5  in  length;  cheeks  sub- verti- 
cal ;  mouth  rather  large,  with  thick  lips,  which  are 
strongly  plicate,  the  folds  somewhat  broken  up;  eye 
small;  fins  very  small,  the  dorsal  rays  10  to  12;  scales 
rather  large,  6 — 44  to  49 — 5;  color  greenish  brown,  a 
pale  blotch  on  each  scale,  these  forming  continuous 
streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales;  back  with  more  or  less 
distinct  brownish  cross  -  blotches ;  fins  brownish,  not 
much  red;  the  dorsal  blackish  at  tip;  size  smallest; 
length  less  than  a  foot.  Virginia  to  Georgia,  very 
abundant,  a  singular  little  species, 
ff  Lower  lip  thin,  forming  a  narrow,  crescent-shaped  border 

around  the  mandible. 

11.  M.  alba,  (Cope)  Jordan.    WHITE  MULLET.    Head 
small,  five  times  in  length;  muzzle  prominent,  but  less 
so  than   in  M.  velata;  mouth   moderate,  back   a  little 
elevated;  depth  about  3-J  in  length;  dorsal  rays  12  to 
14,  its  free  border  incised;  scales  6 — 45 — 5;  coloration 
very  pale;  lower  fins  white;  size  large;  reaches  a  weight 
of  four  pounds  or  more.     Rivers  of  N.  C. 

12.  M.  thalassina,   (Cope)  Jordan.     GREEN  MULLET. 
Head  stout,  as  in  M.  velata^  rather  long,  4  in   length, 
flattish   above,  muzzle    truncate,  not    very    prominent; 
muzzle  moderate;  back  elevated;  dorsal  fin  long,  of  14 
or  15   rays;  sea-green  above;  white  below;  lower    fins 
white.     Yadkin  River. 

**  Lower  lips  infolded,  ^  -  shaped,  when  viewed  from  below,  with 
a  distinct  median  crease,  in  which  the  two  halves  of  the  lip 
meet,  forming  an  acute  angle ;  mouth  small. 

Lips  plicate,  the  folds  not  broken  up  into  papillae. 
g.  Dorsal  rays  (developed)  16  (15  to  17.) 


CATOSTOMID^:. — cix.  317 

13.  M.  velata,  (Cope)  Jordan.     SMALL-MOUTHED  RED 
HORSE.     WHITE  NOSE.     Body  stout,  deep,  compressed, 
the  back  elevated,  the   depth   3  to  4  in  length;  head 
short,  heavy,  flattish  and  broad  above,  thick  through  the 
cheeks,  3f  to  4^  in  length;  eye  rather  large,  midway  in 
head,  4  to   5   in  its  length;  muzzle  rather   prominent, 
bluntish,  overhanging  the   very  small  mouth;  fins  very 
large;  dorsal  long  and  high,  its   height  five-sixths  the 
length  of  the  head;  pectorals  nearly  reaching  ventrals; 
color  silvery,  smoky  above;  lower  fins  red;   size  large. 
Great  Lakes  to  North  Carolina  and  Alabama,  -ather  com- 
mon.    (P.  collapsus  and  P.  velatus,  Cope.) 

gg.  Dorsal  moderate,  with  12  to  14  developed  rays 

Ji.  Head  comparatively  large,  about  4  in  length;  dorsal  rays 
usually  12. 

14.  M.  congesta,  (Grd.)  Jordan.    THICK-HEADED  MUL- 
LET.    Head  short  and  very  wide  through  the  opercles, 
flat  above;  body  stout,  the   back    somewhat   elevated; 
depth  4  in  length;  muzzle  sub-truncate,  slightly  project- 
ing; scales  6 — 40 — 5;  olivaceous,  silvery  below;  dorsal 
fin  dusky.     Missouri  River  and  S.     (P.  bucco,  Cope.) 

15.  M.  pidiensis,    (Cope)   Jordan.      MULLET   OF    THE 
GREAT  PEDEE.     Head  rather  long,  4J-  in  length,  flattish 
above;  body   elongate,    more    nearly    cylindrical,    little 
compressed;    muzzle     truncate;    olivaceous,    sometimes 
with  rows  of  faint  spots  along  the  series  of  scales;  dor- 
sal and  caudal  fins  black-edged;  size  quite  small;  resem- 
bles M.  cervina,  but  the  mouth  entirely  different.    Great 
Pedee  River.  % 

hh.  Head  very  small,  about  5  in  length ;  muzzle  conic,  much  pro- 
jecting beyond  the  very  small  mouth. 

16.  M.  coregonus,  (Cope)  Jordan.     WHITE-FISH  MUL- 
LET.     Broadly    fusiform,  the    body    being   much    com- 


318  FISHES, 

pressed,  the  back  elevated  and  arched;  dorsal  rays  14; 
color  silvery,  with  plumbeous  shades  above;  lower  fins 
white;  size  small.     Catawba  and  Yadkin  Rivers. 
\\  Lips  papillose,  the  plicae  broken  up  by  cross  furrows. 

17.  M.  papillosa,  (Cope)  Jordan.  PAPILLOSE  MULLET. 
Body  comparatively  stout,  the  dorsal  region  somewhat 
elevated  and  rounded,  the  depth  being  about  4  in  length, 
the  head  about  the  same;  eye  rather  large,  high  up  and 
well  back,  the  preorbital  space  being  longer  than  in  the 
other  species;  top  of  head  flat;  dorsal  rays  12  to  14; 
scales  rather  large,  6 — 42 — 5;  lips  well  developed,  deeply 
incised,  almost  as  in  Catostomus;  color  silvery;  back 
with  smoky  shading;  lower  fins  white;  size  large,  reaches 
a  length  of  about  two  feet.  North  Carolina  to  Georgia. 

4.  MINYTREMA,  Jordan.     STRIPED  SUCKERS. 

*  Each  scale  with  a  large,  square  blackish  spot  at  its  base,  these 
forming  more  or  less  conspicuous  stripes  al^"  the  sides; 
body  subterete,  becoming  deeper  with  age. 

1.  M.  melanops,  (Raf.)  Jordan.  SPOTTED  MULLET. 
STRIPED  SUCKER.  Head  4f  in  length;  depth  about  4; 
scales  very  large;  blackish  above;  sides  coppery,  with 
black  stripes;  D.  I,  12;  lat.  1.  47;  size  large;  adult 
males  with  the  sides  of  the  head  profusely  tuberculate 
in  Spring;  young  specimens  of  this  species  have  no 
trace  of  lateral  line,  as  in  Erimyzonj  older  ones  (6 — 8 
inches)  show  a  deepening  of  the  furrows  along  the 
median  series  of  scales;  adults  of  12  to  18  inches  show 
a  series  of  completely  developed  tubes,  which,  however, 
are  wanting  on  some  of  the  scales,  especially  behind;  as 
Erimyzon  never  shows  any  traces  of  the  tubes  of  the 
lateral  line,  these  peculiarities  may  be  held  to  indicate 
generic  distinction,  and  the  name  Minytrema  is  here 


CATOSTOMID^EJ. — CIX.  319 

proposed  for  E.  melanops.  Great  Lakes,  Ohio  Valley 
and  South,  abundant;  one  of  our  handsomest  suckers, 
strangely  overlooked  by  recent  writers.  This  and  the 
next,  unlike  most  of  our  suckers,  are  very  hardy  in  the 
Aquarium. 

5.     ERIMYZON,  Jordan.     CHUB  SUCKERS. 

=  Moxostoma^  Agassiz  (not  of  Raf.) 
*  No  stripes  along  the  rows  of  scales,  body  rather  short  and  deep. 

1.  E.  sucetta,  (Lac.)  Jordan.  CREEK  FISH.  CHUB 
SUCKER.  Head  4  to  4^-  in  length;  depth  2f,  in  adult; 
eye  5  in  head;  scales  crowded,  deeper  than  long;  no  trace 
of  lateral  line;  dusky  above,  brassy  on  sides  and  below; 
very  variable;  young  much  less  compressed,  with  black 
bands  or  bars,  and  pale  lateral  and  vertebral  streaks; 
spring  males  with  six  tubercles  on  head;  D.  1, 11;  lat.  1.  40. 
New  England,  S.  and  W.,  abundant.  \E.  oblongus^  (Mit.) 
Jor.] 

6.  HYPENTELIUM,  Rafinesque.     CRAWL- A -BOTTOMS. 

=  Hylomyzon,  Ag. 

1.  H.  nigricans,  (LeS.)  Jordan.  STOXE  ROLLER.  HOG 
SUCKER.  " MUD  SUCKER."  Depth  4f  in  length;  head 
4;  depth  of  head  f  its  length;  eyes  small,  very  high  up 
and  far  back ;  lower  fins  very  large ;  pectoral  nearly  as 
long  as  head;  brownish,  often  beautifully  marbled;  D. 
I,  11;  A.  8;  lat.  1.  52.  Lakes  and  streams  from  N.  Y., 
S.  and  W.,  abundant;  one  of  our  most  singular  fishes. 
It  frequents  clear  streams  and  rapids,  and  it  is  not  at  all 
a  "  mud  fish,"  as  some  writers  seem  to  suppose. 

7.  CATOSTOMUS,  LeSueur.     FINE-SCALED  SUCKERS. 

>  Acomus  and  Minomus,  Grd. 

*  Lateral  line  with  60  to  65  scales-  snout  comparatively  short; 
(Decadactylus,  Raf.) 


320  FISHES. 

1.  C.commerson/'/,(La,c.)JoT.  COMMON -SUCKER.  WHITE 
SUCKER.     Depth  about  equal  to  length  of  head,  4  to  4£ 
in   length;  olivaceous,  sides  silvery,  with  bright  reflec- 
tions; males  with  the  sides  roseate  in  spring;  D.  I,  12; 
lat.   1.  63.      U.   S.,  abundant   every  where   east  of  the 
Rocky    Mountains.      (C.  communis,   bostoniensis,   teres, 
sucklii,  etc.,  of  authors.) 

**  Lateral  line  with  about  100  scales;   snout  much  produced. 
(Gatostomus.) 

2.  C.  Ion g /rostrum,  LeS.    RED-SIDED  SUCKER.    LONG- 
NOSED    SUCKER.      Slender,  depth  less   than    length  of 
head;  sides  with  a  bright  red  band,  and  upper  part  of 
head  with  small  tubercles  in  males  in  Spring;  D.  T,  10; 
lat.  1.  110.     Great  Lakes,  Upper  Mississippi  and  North- 
ward, abundant.     [(7.  hudsonius,  LeS.,  C.  aurora,  Ag.; 
C.  griseus  and  (7.  lactarius,  Grd. ;  C.  forsterianus,  (Rich.) 
not  C.  forsteriamis,  Ag.,  which  is  probably  C.  commer- 
soniiJ] 

8.  CYCLEPTUS,  Rafinesque.     SUCKERELS. 

=  Rhytidostomus,  Heckel. 

1.  C.  elongatus,  (LeSueur)  Ag.  BLACK  HORSE. 
GOURD- SEED  SUCKER.  MISSOURI  SUCKER.  Body  fusiform, 
not  greatly  compressed;  head  and  mouth  very  small; 
depth  four  to  five  in  length;  head  6^;  eye  small,  well  back, 
6  to  7  in  head;  lobes  of  dorsal  and  caudal  much  atten- 
uated; longest  dorsal  rays  a  little  longer  than  head; 
pectorals  falcate,  as  long  as  head;  anal  fin  small;  scales 
with  the  exposed  surfaces  broad;  $  jet  black  above,  sides 
black  with  a  coppery  luster;  snout  minutely  tuberculate 
in  spring;  $  olivaceous;  D.  30;  A.  7;  lat.  1.  56;  length  2  to 
3  feet;  weight  2  to  15  Sbs.  Mississippi  Valley,  in  large 
streams.  A  singular  species,  quite  unlike  any  other. 


CATOSTOMIDJE. — CIX.  321 

9.  CARPIODES,  Rafinesque.     CARP  SUCKERS. 

*  First  rays  of  dorsal  very  much  elevated  and  attenuated,  about 

as  long  as  the  base  of  the  fin. 
f  Muzzle  conic,  projecting. 

1.  C.  velifer,   (Raf.)   Ag.     SPEAK  FISH.     SAIL  FISH. 
QUILLBACK.    SKIMBACK.    Muzzle  conic,  much  less  obtuse 
than  in  the  next;  depth  2£  in  length;  head  3f ;  eye  4j- 
in  head;  color  pale,  scarcely  silvery,  as  in  all  the  species; 
D.  22;  lat.  1.  37.     Ohio  R. 

\\  Muzzle  very  abruptly  obtuse. 
a.  Anterior  suborbital  bone  sub-triangular,  longer  than  deep. 

2.  C.  selene,   Cope.      MOON   CARP  -  SUCKER.      Back 
steeply    elevated;    intermaxillaries    far    in    advance   of 
orbit;    D.  26;  V.  10;  A.  8;  lat.  1.  37;  silvery.      Great 
Lakes,  abundant. 

aa.  Anterior  suborbital  bone,  much  deeper  than  long. 

3.  C.  cuiisanserinus,    Cope.       LONG -FINNED     CARP 
SUCKER.     Mouth   usual   in   position,   the    upper  lip  in 
advance  of  the  nostrils,  etc.;  dorsal  fin  beginning  raid- 
way  of  body  more  elevated  than  in  any  other  species; 
snout  with  small  tubercles  in  spring  males;  head  4  in 
length;   depth  2f;  D.  26;  V.  10;  A.  8.      Ohio  Valley, 
abundant. 

4.  C.    difformis,   Cope.      DEFORMED    CARP   SUCKER. 
Eye  very  large,  and  well  anterior;  the  front  edge  of  the 
lower  jaw  in  line  with  the  anterior  rim  of  the  orbit,  and 
the  end  of  the  upper  lip  reaching  the  line  of  the  anterior 
rim  of  the    orbit,    the    physiognomy    being    therefore 
peculiar  in  the  great  obtuseness  of  the  head;  insertion 
of  dorsal  anterior  to  middle  of  the  head;  D.  24;  A.  8; 
V.  9;  lat.  1.  35.     Ohio  River. 

**  Anterior  rays  of  dorsal  scarcely  filamentous,  little  more  than 

half  the  length  of  the  base  of  the  fin. 
b.  Head  comparatively  large,  3i  to  4  in  length. 
21 


322  FISHES. 

5.  0.  bison,  Ag.      BUFFALO  CAEP  SUCKER.     Muzzle 
very  long,  conic;  eye  median,  large,  4-J-  in  head;  body 
elongate;  depth  3  in  length;  dorsal  fin  elongate,  nearly 
as  much  so  as  in  C.  velifer;  D.  28;  lat.  1.  40.     Missis- 
sippi Valley. 

6.  C.  cyprinus,  (LeS.)  Ag.      SILVERY  CARP  SUCKER. 
Muzzle  prominent,  but  rather  obtuse;  eye  small,  anterior, 
5  in  head;  depth  2£  in  length;  longest  dorsal  rays  about 
f  the  length  of  the  base  of  the  fin;  D.  28,  or  29;  lat.  1. 

40.  N.  Y.  to  Ala.,  East  of  the  Alleghenies. 
bb.  Head  smaller,  4£  to  5  in  length. 

7.  C.  thompsoni,   Ag.     LAKE   CARP   SUCKER.     Short 
and  stout;  dorsal  region  much  arched;  scales  narrowly 
exposed;  longest  dorsal  ray  reaching  the  22d;  eye  small, 
5Jin  head;  head  4J  in  length;  depth  2£;  D.  28;  lat.  1. 

41.  Great  Lakes. 

8.  C.  carpio,  (Raf.)  Jordan.      RIVER  CARP   SUCKER. 
Body  more  elongate,  the  depth  3  in  length,  the  head 
small,  nearly  5;  longest  dorsal  rays  shortest,  reaching  to 
the  16th  ray;  eye  small,  anterior;  D.  30;  lat.  1.  36,  the 
largest  species,  approaching  Ichthyobus.     Ohio  Valley, 
abundant.     (C.  nummifer,  Cope.) 

10.  ICHTHYOBUS,  Rafinesque.     BUFFALO  FISH. 
(Sclerognathus,  Val.) 

*  Body  robust,  little  compressed,  the  dorsal  region  not  especially 
elevated. 

1.  /.  bubal  us,  (Raf.)  Ag.  BROWN  BUFFALO  -  FISH. 
Depth  3J  in  length;  head  the  same;  eye  small,  6^-  in 
head;  depth  of  head  five-sixths  its  length;  opercle  very 
wide,  forming  nearly  half  the  length  of  head — convex 
and  furrowed;  scales  very  large;  dull  brownish  olive, 
not  silvery;  D.  27;  A.  10;  lat.  1.  40;  length  (of  specimen) 


CATOSTOMIDuE. — C1X.  323 

27  inches;  weight  15  fbs.     Mississippi  Valley  (described 
from  specimen  from  Wabash  R.) 

**  Body  shorter,  considerably  compressed;  the    dorsal    region 
elevated. 

2.  /.  cyanellus,  Nelson.     BLUE  BUFFALO.     Head  3£ 
in  length;  depth  2£;  eye  4£  in  head;  longest  dorsal  ray 
reaching  18th;  head  very  short,  high  and  thick;  mouth 
quite  small,  oblique,  somewhat  overlapped  by  the  obtuse 
snout;  insertion  of    dorsal  rather  anterior;    steel  blue, 
paler  below;  D.  I,  30;  lat.  1.  38.     Illinois  River. 

3.  I.  rauch'ii,  Ag.     "  Dorsal  much  higher  than  in  /. 
bubalus;  all  other  fins  much  larger  and  scales  not  higher 
than  long."     (Ag.)     Mississippi  River,  Burlington,  Iowa. 
An  unrecognized  species.     Specimens  in  my  collection 
from  near  Burlington  agree   with  I.  cyanellus,  except 
that  the  insertion  of  the  dorsal  is  midway. 

4.  /.  ischyrus,  Nelson.     HEAVY  BUFFALO.     "  This  is  a 
very  stout  and  heavily  built  species;  depth  2£  in  length; 
head  extremely  broad  between  the  eyes  and  but  slightly 
convex;  its  length  3|-  times  in  length  of   body;    snout 
short  and  rounded,  opercular  apparatus  large;  depth  of 
head  1-J-  in  its  length;  width  of  head  1-J;  eye  6f  in  head, 
If  in  snout,  4  in  interorbital  space ;  caudal  peduncle  a 
little  deeper  than  long;  scales  7  —  37 — 7,  nearly  uniform, 
a   little   crowded   anteriorly,    finely   punctate;    fins   all 
small;  dorsal  I.  27;  A.  I,  8;  bluish-olive  above,  yellow- 
ish below;  fins  blackish."     (N~elso?i.)     Rivers  of  Illinois. 

//.  BUBALICHTHYS,  Agassiz.     BUFFALO  FISHES. 

1.  B.  niger,  (Raf.)  Ag.  BLACK  BUFFALO.  BIG- 
MOUTHED  BUFFALO.  Body  much  less  elevated  and  less 
compressed  than  in  13.  bubalinus,  the  back  not  at  all 
carinated;  axis  of  body  over  the  ventrals  about  at  the 


324  FISHES. 

lateral  line,  and  but  an  eighth  or  tenth  further  from  the 
dorsal  line  than  the  ventral;  greatest  depth  midway  of 
body  over  ventrals  and  just  in  advance  of  dorsal;  depth 
3£  in  length;  head  strongly  transversely  convex,  almost 
ridged  above,  less  narrowed  downwards  than  in  buba- 
linus\  greatest  depth  of  head  1-J-  in  its  length;  inter- 
orbital  space  2£;  eye  =  snout  5J  in  head,  much  smaller 
than  in  bubalinus;  snout  scarcely  projecting;  no  depres- 
sion at  occiput;  an  almost  even  curve  from  snout 
to  dorsal;  head  bounded  by  curves,  therefore  not  trian- 
gular, thicker,  larger,  and  less  pointed  than  in  bubalinus" 
mouth  large,  with  a  large  and  pappillose  lower  lip;  man- 
dible longer  than  eye;  scales  8 — 41 — 7;  fin  rays  D.  I, 
30;  A.  I,  11;  dorsal  not  so  high  nor  so  rapidly  depressed 
as  in  bubalinus,  the  longest  ray  scarcely  half  the  length 
of  the  base  of  the  fin,  reaching  to  the  15th,  the  9th  ray, 
half  the  height  of  the  first;  anal  reaching  caudal,  its 
middle  rays  more  rounded,  not  so  much  shorter  than  the 
first;  pectorals  as  long  as  ventrals,  both  longer  than  anal 
and  less  than  head;  colors  very  dark;  fins  all  black. 
Mississippi  and  Ohio  Rivers. 

2.  B.  altus,  Nelson.  DEEP- BODIED  BUFFALO.  Body 
very  deep  and  much  compressed;  the  back  is  much 
arched  and  the  profile  descends  steeply  in  front  to  end 
of  snout,  not  forming  an  angle  with  it  as  in  many 
species  of  Ichthyobus;  depth  of  body  2-J  in  length;  head 
4  in  length;  greatest  thickness  of  body  1|  in  length  of 
head;  depth  of  head  1^-  in  its  length;  width  1J  in 
length;  eye  5£  in  head,  2^-  in  interorbital  space,  which  is 
but  little  rounded;  lateral  line  perfectly  straight  from 
upper  edge  of  opercle  to  caudal;  scales  8 — 35 — 5;  dor- 
sal I.  25;  A.  I,  9;  color  in  spirits,  dull  yellowish-olive; 
fins  dusky.  Illinois.  (Nelson.) 


CATOSTOMIDJE. — CIX.  325 

3,  B.  bubalinus,  Jordan.  SMALL  -  MOUTHED  BUFFALO. 
Body  considerably  elevated  and  compressed  above;  the 
dorsal  region  sub-carinate;  belly  thicker;  depth  2f  in 
length;  axis  of  the  body  above  the  ventrals,  below  the 
lateral  line  and  nearly  twice  as  far  from  the  back  as  the 
belly;  greatest  depth  of  body  at  beginning  of  dorsal, 
which  is  in  advance  of  ventrals,  and  a  trifle  nearer  the 
snout  than  the  caudal;  head  wide,  rounded  across  the 
top,  wider  above  eyes  than  across  cheeks;  interorbital 
space  2  in  head;  head  4  in  length  of  body,  its  greatest 
depth  1-J-  in  its  length;  eye=snout  4  in  head,  much 
larger  than  in  J3.  niger;  mouth  small,  notably  smaller 
than  in  JB.  niger,  and  with  thinner  lips,  which  are  granu- 
lated and  feebly  plicate;  mandible  about  equal  to  eye; 
pharyngeal  bones  very  strong,  with  large  teeth,  which 
grow  larger  downward;  intestinal  canal  long,  longer 
than  body;  a  decided  occipital  depression;  head  trian- 
gular in  outline,  viewed  from  the  side;  ante- orbital 
region  strongly  elevated  and  curved;  length  of  top  of 
head  2£  in  distance  from  snout  to  occiput;  nostrils  large; 
scales  8 — 40 — 6  in  two  specimens,  8 — 39 — 6  in  one,  7 — 
39 — 5  in  the  fourth;  fin  rays  D.  I,  28  in  two,  I.  29  in 
rest;  A.  I,  10;  V.  10;  dorsal  elevated  in  front  and  rap- 
idly declined,  the  seventh  ray  half  the  length  of  the 
third  or  longest;  the  latter  reaches  to  the  base  of  the 
18th  ray,  or  more  than  half  the  base  of  the  fin;  anal 
reaching  caudal,  its  rays  rapidly  shortened;  pectorals 
shorter  than  anal,  anal  than  ventrals,  all  than  head. 
Mississippi  Valley,  abundant.  (B.  bubalus,  Ag.,  not 
C.  bubalus,  Raf.)  Two  other  species,  1$.  urns,  Ag., 
from  the  Tennessee,  and  B.  vitulus,  Ag.,  from  the 
Wabash,  are  unrecognizably  described  by  Professor 
Agassiz. 


326  FISHES. 

ORDER  AA-NEMATOGNATHI. 

(The  SJieat  Fishes.) 

Skin  naked  or  with  bony  plates;  no  true  scales;  bar- 
bels always  present,  maxillary  bone  rudimentary  and 
forming  the  base  of  the  longest  barbel ;  margin  of  upper 
jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  only;  sub-opercle  absent; 
air  bladder  generally  present;  usually  an  adipose  fin, 
and  in  all  our  species  a  spine  in  the  dorsal  and  pectorals; 
ventrals  abdominal.  Chiefly  fresh  water  fishes,  inhabit- 
ing most  regions,  especially  abounding  in  South  America. 
The  leading  family  is  Siluridve. 

FAMILY  CX.-SILURID^E. 
(The  Cat  Fishes.) 

General  characters  as  above  given;  genera  one  hund- 
red or  more;  species  nearly  seven  hundred;  a  very  large 
family  abounding  in  the  fresh  waters  of  America  and 
the  warmer  parts  of  the  Old  World;  a  few  are  marine. 
Our  species  constitute  a  peculiar  group  termed  by  Dr. 
Gill  Ichthceluri.  The  characters  of  this  group  are  as 
follows  :  The  body  is  more  or  less  elongated,  compressed 
posteriorly,  and  terminating  in  a  well-developed  caudal 
fin.  The  skin  is  naked  and  unprovided  with  sucking 
cups;  the  head  in  profile  presents  the  appearance  of  a 
more  or  less  elongated  cone,  and  is  covered  with  a  skin 
which  is  generally  quite  thick;  it  is  more  or  less  flat- 
tened, and  broad  above,  and  gradually  becomes  narrowed 
to  the  convex  snout;  there  is  never  a  casque,  or  helmet; 
the  supraoccipital  terminates  in  a  point;  there  are  eight 
barbels:  the  two  maxillary,  constant  in  the  family;  a 
pair  in  front  of  the  posterior  nasal  apertures;  and  two 
pairs  arranged  in  a  curved  line  behind  the  lower  jaw; 
the  nostrils  form  nearly  a  transverse  parallelogram 


—  ex.  327 


between  the  intermaxillaries  and  the  eyes;  the  anterior 
are  suboval  or  subcircular,  and  the  posterior  linear,  with 
a  raised  margin,  from  the  front  of  which  the  upper  bar- 
bels originate;    the  eyes   are  generally  placed   in   the 
anterior  half  of  the  head;  the  dorsal  and  pectoral  fins 
are  each  provided  with  a  stout,  pungent  spine.     The  adi- 
pose fin   is  developed,  not  rayed,  and  the  rays  of  the 
dorsal  fin  are  few  in  number.     The  branchial  apertures 
are  ample,  continued  from  the  supero-posterior  angles 
of  the  opercula  to  beneath  the  throat.     The  air-bladder 
is  well  developed.     The  species  commonly  inhabit  deep 
or   sluggish   waters,  and   are  very  tenacious  of   life  — 
especially  those  of  Amiurus. 
*  Adipose  fin  with  its  posterior  margin  free,  not  connected  with 

the  caudal  fin. 

f  Intermaxillary  band  of  teeth  convex  in  front,  abruptly  trun- 
cate behind,  without  lateral  backward  processes  ;  branchi- 
ostegals  8  or  9  (rarely  10  or  11)  ;  ventral  fins  normally  with 
8  rays. 

\  Supraoccipital  bone  prolonged  backward,  its  apex  emar- 

ginate,  receiving  the  pointed  anterior  end  of  the  second 

interspinal,  thus  forming  a  continuous  bony  bridge  from 

the  snout  to  the  base  of  the  dorsal  ;  branchiostegals  8  or 

9;  head  elongate;  mouth  small,  terminal,  the  upper  jaw 

the  longer  ;  anal  fin  elongate,  of  24  to  34  rays  ;  caudal 

fin  furcate  ;  body  elongate,  more  or  less  slender,  silvery, 

covered  with  thin  skin.         .         .        ICHTH.ELUHUS,  1. 

\\  Supraoccipital  bone  free  behind,  not  connected  with 

the  interspinal  ;  branchiostegals  normally  9  (varying 

from  8  to  11);  head  broad;  mouth  broad,  terminal; 

anal  fin  moderate  or  rather  long,  with  15  to  27  rays  ; 

caudal  fin  usually  truncate,  but  often  more  or  less 

deeply  emarginate  or  even    forked;    body  usually 

more  or  less  shortened,  covered  with  a  rather  thick 

skin  .......        AMIURUS,  2. 

ft  Intermaxillary  band  of  teeth  convex  in  front,  with  a  lateral 
backward    extension   on   each  side;  branchiostegals  nor- 


328  FISHES, 

mally  12 ;  supraoccipital  bone  free  behind ;  head  long,  broad, 
and  flat;  mouth  large,  the  lower  jaw  always  the  longer; 
anal  tin  short,  of  12  to  14  rays ;  ventrals  with  9  rays ;  cau- 
dal fin  truncate,  its  numerous  rudimentary  rays  recurrent 
above  and  below  the  caudal  peduncle ;  number  of  vertebrae 
increased ;  body  elongate,  covered  with  thick  skin. 

PELODICHTHYS,  3. 

**  Adipose  fin  long  and  low,  keel-like,  adnate  to  the  back,  more 
or  less  perfectly  continuous  with  the  caudal  fin ;  supraocci- 
pital bone  free  behind;  branchiostegals  9;  anal  fin  short, 
with  11  to  20  rays;  caudal  fin  rounded,  with  numerous  rudi- 
mentary rays  recurrent  on  the  caudal  peduncle ;  ventral  rays 
usually  9;  form  various,  but  body  usually  more  or  less 
elongate,  depressed  in  front,  compressed  behind,  covered 
with  athickish  but  semi-transparent  skin;  size  small. 

NOTURUS,  4. 

/.  ICHTHSELURUS,  Rannesque.     CHANNEL  CATS. 

*  Eye  small,  anterior,  the  middle  of  the  head  being  behind  its 

posterior  margin. 

f  Anal  fin  extremely  elongate,  its  base  one-third  the  length  of 
the  body ;  its  rays  32  to  34 ;  body  slender. 

1.  I.  furcatus,(Cav.&Val.)Gi\}.  FOKK-TAILED CHAN- 
NEL CAT.     Head  small,  4£  in  length,  the  slope  from  dor- 
sal to  snout  somewhat  concave;    spines  long.     Missis- 
sippi Valley,  and  Southwest. 

tf  Anal  fin  shorter,  3i  to  4  in  length ;  its  rays  27  to  30 ;  body 
robust,  compressed. 

2.  I.  robustus,  Jordan.      ROBUST  CHANNEL  CAT.     A 
stout,  deep  species,  with  shorter  spines;  dorsal  region 
elevated;  the  profile  concave.     Mississippi  Valley. 

**  Eye  large,  median,  the  middle  of  the  head  falling  before  its 
posterior  margin ;  anal  short,  not  greatly  elongate,  its  rays 
25  to  29. 

3.  /.  punctatus,  (Raf.)  Jor.     COMMON  CHANNEL  CAT. 
BLUE  CAT.     WHITE  CAT,  etc.     Head  moderate,  about  4 


SILUBLD^E. — CX.  329 

in  length;  dorsal  region  not  especially  elevated;  spines 
long;  coloration  of  the  others,  bluish  silvery,  young 
spotted  with  olive.  New  York  to  South  Carolina,  West 
to  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  Mexico,  very  abundant. 
It  has  been  described  under  some  twenty-three  different 
specific  names.  [I.  ccerulescens,  (Raf.)  Gill.] 

2.  AMIURUS,  Rafinesque.     CAT  FISHES. 

*  Caudal  fin  forked,  its  lower  lobe  the  larger;  upper  jaw  longest; 

colors  more  or  less  olivaceous  or  silvery. 
f  Anal  fin  elongate,  of  23  to  28  rays. 
a.  Head  rather  broad ;  anal  rays  25  or  26. 

1.  A.  nigricans,   (LeS.)   Gill.     GREAT  FORK -TAILED 
CAT.      CAT   FISH   OP    THE   LAKES.      MISSISSIPPI    CAT, 
FLORIDA  CAT.     GREAT  BLUE  CAT.     Head  comparatively 
small,  4^  in   length,  its  width   5;  barbels   long;  spines 
short  and  stout,  serrated;  body  rather  low  and  moder- 
ately stout;  colors  dark,  mottled  with  paler;  size  very 
large.     Great  Lakes,  Mississippi   Valley  and  South  to 
Florida,  much  the  largest  of  our  cat  fishes,  reaching  a 
weight  of  100  to  200  Ibs. 

aa.  Head  narrow,  decidedly  longer  than  broad 
f  Anal  rays  23  or  24. 

2.  A.  lupus,  (Grd.)  Gthr.     Caudal  fin  deeply  furcate; 
head  narrow,  longer   than  broad;  anal  rays  23  or  24; 
pectoral  spines  long  and  slender,  dentate;  barbels  long; 
depth  about  5  in  length;  body  rather  slender;  head  nar- 
rowed, its  width  4f  in  length,  being  less  than  its  length 
above;  distance  from  snout  to  dorsal  spine  1^-  to  1^  in 
distance  from  dorsal  spine  to  adipose  fin;  base  of  anal 
as  long  as  head.     The  species  strongly  resembles  the 
species   of   Ichthcelurus,   and    is    almost    intermediate 
between  the  two  genera,  the  supraoccipital  bone  being 


330  FISHES. 

almost  connected  with  the  inter-spinal.     Southwestern 
States. 

3.  A.  niveiventris,  Cope.    Similar,  but  the  head  broader, 
its  width  equal  to  its  length  above;  distance  to  dorsal 
spine  1-J-  in  distance  from  spine  to  adipose  fin;  base  of 
anal  notably  less  than  head.     Neuse  River,  N.  C. 

ft  Anal  fin  short,  of  19  to  22  rays. 

4.  A.  albidus,  (LeS.)  Gill.    WHITE  CAT.    CHANNEL  CAT 
OF  THE  POTOMAC.     Head  narrowed,  very  wide  in  adults, 
quite  narrow  in  young,  its  width  4  to  5  in  length  of  body; 
upper  jaw  considerably  the  longer;  dorsal  spine  nearer 
adipose  fin  than  snout;  caudal  deeply  forked;  base  of 
anal  fin  4£  in  length;  A.  21.      Pennsylvania  to    South 
Carolina,  abundant.     [A.  lynx,  (Grd.)  Gill.] 

5.  A.  lophius,    Cope.      BIG -MOUTHED    CAT.      Head 
extremely  wide,  its  width  3f  in  length,  as  great  as  the 
length  of  the  head;  upper  jaw  slightly  the  longer;  cau- 
dal shallow-forked;  base  of  anal  fin  6  in  length;  A.  21; 
color  silvery  as  in  the  preceding.     Tributaries  of  Chesa- 
peake Bay,  rather  common.     Very  old  specimens  of  A. 
albidus  resemble  A.  lophius^  but  may  be  recognized  by 
the  characters  above  noted.     A.  lophius  has  the  largest 
mouth  of  any  North  American  Cat  Fish. 

**  Caudal  fin  rounded  or  slightly  emarginate,  usually  truncate 

when  spread  open. 

J  Anal  fin  very  long,  its  base  one-fourth  or  more  the  length  of 
the  body ;  of  24  to  27  rays. 
6.  Head  and  body  elongate ;  mouth  narrow. 

6.  A.   erebennusf  Jordan.     GOODE'S   CAT.     Head  and 
oody  elongated;  the  dorsal  region  considerably  elevated; 
the  head  quite  long  and  narrowed  forwards;  much  longer 
than  broad;  its  width  in  front  of  eye  only  about  half  its 
length |  mouth  rather  narrow,  with  equal  jaws;  barbels. 


SELURID^E. — CX.  33] 

long;  adipose  fin  large;  spines  strong;  dorsal  fin  very 

high;  anal  fin   long  and  deep;  caudal   fin   short;  color 

dark;    gili    openings    narrow.      Southeastern    streams; 

resembling  A.  nigricans,  but  with  the  caudal  fin  of  A. 

natalis. 

66.  Head  broad ;  mouth  wide ;  form  stout. 

7.  A.  natalis,   (LeS.)   Gill.     YELLOW  CAT.      CHUBBY 
CAT.     Body  stout  and  heavy,  with  large  head;  dorsal 
spine  nearer  snout  than  adipose  fin;  a  widely  diffused 
species  running  into  many  varieties.     The  following  are 
some  of  the  principal  ones : 

Var.  natalis,  (LeS.)  Body  very  short  and  obese,  with 
short,  deep,  fleshy  caudal  peduncle,  and  short  caudal  fin, 
on  which  the  flesh  encroaches.  This  may  be  simply  a 
peculiar  state  of  individuals  rather  than  a  distinct  variety. 

Var.  livid  us,  (Raf.)  Jor.  More  elongate,  dark  colored; 
the  jaws  equal.  Western  and  Southern  streams,  com- 
mon. (A.  catus  of  authors.) 

Var.  cupreus,  (Raf.)  Jor.  Similar,  but  yellowish 
brown,  and  with  the  upper  jaw  decidedly  the  longer; 
generally  abundant. 

Var.  coenosuSf  (Rich.)  Jor.  Like  cupreus,  but  green- 
ish or  black  in  color.  Great  Lakes. 

Var.  anal  is,  Jor.     Anal  fin  very  large,  of  27  rays,  its 
base  nearly  •£  length  of  body.     S.  W. 
%\  Anal  fin  moderate,  of  18  to  22  rays. 

c.  Lower  jaw  distinctly  longer  than  upper. 

8.  A.  vulgaris,   (Thompson)    Nelson.      LONG -JAWED 
CAT.     Body  rather  elongate,  the  depth  4-J-  to  5  in  length ; 
head  3£;  barbels  long;  mouth   wide;  head  longer  than 
broad;  dorsal  nearer  snout  than  adipose  fin;  head  broad 
forwards;  A,  20'  dark  reddish  brown,  varying  to  black- 


332  FISHES. 

ish.     Great  Lakes  and  tributaries,  generally  abundant. 
[A.  dekayi,  (Grd.)  Gill.] 

Var.  ce/urus,  (Grd.)  Jor.  Has  the  head  somewhat 
narrowed  forwards,  the  dorsal  region  more  elevated,  and 
its  spine  about  midway  of  the  body.  Upper  Mississippi 
River. 

cc.  Jaws  about  equal,  or  the  upper  evidently  the  longer. 
d.  Eyes  well  developed. 
e.  Body  not  notably  elongate. 

f.  Head  moderately  broad ;  a  nearly  even  slope  from  the  tip 
of  the  snout  to  the  elevated  base  of  the  dorsal. 

9.  A.  catus,  (L.)   Gill.     BULL -HEAD.      HOKN   POUT. 
SMALL  CAT  FISH.     Body  rather  elongate,  depth  4  to  44 
in  length;  head  broader  than  in  the  next,  the  front  less 
steep,  but  its  slope  more  uniform;  body  less  rapidly  nar- 
rowed behind;  anal  fin  longer,  its  base  4£  in  body,  the 
rays    21    or    22   in    number;  upper    jaw    distinctly   the 
longer;  color  dark  yellowish  brown,  varying  to  blackish, 
sometimes  marbled,  the  young  often  quite  black.     Great 
Lakes  to  Maine  and  South  Carolina,  the  common  East- 
ern   species.      (A.   atrarius,   nebulosus,   hoyi,   etc.,    of 
authors.) 

10.  A.  marmoratus,   (Holbr.)   Jor.      MAKBLED   CAT. 
Body  sharply  mottled  with  brown,  greenish  and  whitish; 
the  coloration  therefore  singular  among  Cat  Fishes;  jaws 
equal  or  nearly   so;  depth  about  4  in  length;  slope  of 
profile  very  steep;  dorsal  fin  high;  the  spine  more  than 
half  length  of  head;  dorsal  spine  nearer  adipose  fin  than 
snout;    barbels  long;    branchiostegals    10;    head    3J   in 
length.     South  Atlantic  States. 

11.  A.  melas,  (Raf.)      Jordan  &  Copeland.     BLACK 
CAT.     Body  very  stout,  short  and  deep,  the  depth  3^-  to 
4£  in  length;   head    not   very  broad?  rather  contracted 


SILURID^J. — ex.  333 

forwards,  the  front  steeply  elevated,  the  body  thick 
across  the  "shoulders,"  rather  rapidly  narrowed  behind; 
anal  fin  short  and  deep,  of  18  or  20  rays,  its  base  nearly 
five  in  length,  the  color  of  the  rays  forming  a  sharp  con- 
trast with  that  of  the  membranes;  upper  jaw  scarcely 
longest;  size  small;  color  almost  black.  Mississippi 
Valley,  abundant.  (A.  catulus,  obesus,  confinis,  etc.,  of 
authors.) 

ff.  Head  very  broad,  the  slope  from  snout  to  base  of  dorsal  quite 
uneven,  there  being  a  more  or  less  decided  angle  at  the 
occiput. 

12.  A.  xanthocephalus,  (Raf.)  Gill.     YELLOW- HEADED 
CAT.     Head  about  as  broad  as  long,  its  length  4  in  that 
of  body;  dorsal  nearer  adipose  fin  than  snout;  anal  fin 
short,  its  base  less  than  one-fifth  the  length  of  the  body, 
its  rays  usually  19;  body  stout  and  short;  mouth  very 
broad;  colors  pale,  chiefly  yellowish;  size  small.     Ohio 
Valley,  abundant;  resembles  A.  natalis  cupreus,  but  has 
a  much  smaller  anal. 

ee.  Body  very  elongate,  slender,  the  head  flattish  and  broad  above. 

13.  A.    platycephalus,    (Grd.)    Gill.      FLAT -HEADED 
CAT.     Form  slender,  elongate,  approaching  that  of  Pelo- 
dichthys,  the  depth  being  4  to  6  times  in  length  of  body; 
head  broad  and  flat,  nearly  as  wide  as  long;  anal  fin 
with  20  to  22  rays;  the  base  of  the  fin  4J  to  5  in  body; 
jaws  equal;  branchiostegals  11;  mouth  very  wide;  dor- 
sal spine  nearer  snout  than  adipose  fin;  coloration  some- 
what marmorate;  a  blackish  horizontal  bar  at  base  of 
dorsal.     Southern  Rivers;  approaches  A.  brunneus*  but 
less  elongate,  and  with  a  different  mouth. 

dd.  Eyes  rudimentary,  concealed  under  the  skin;    blind  cave 
species.    (Qronias,  Cope.) 

14.  A.  nigrilabris,  (Cope)  Gill  &  Jor.     CAVE  CAT  FISH. 


£34  FISHES. 

Form,  etc.,  nearly  of  Amiurus  melasj  but  the  eyes  little 
developed;  anal  short,  of  about  19  rays.     Subterranean 
stream,  tributary  of  Conestoga  River,  E.  Penn. 
%ft  Anal  fin  small,  15  to  17  rayed. 
g.  Body  short  and  stout. 

15.  A.  pullus,   (DeKay)   Gill.      BLACK   BULL -HEAD. 
Depth  4  in  length;  the  head  flattened,  nearly  as  broad  as 
long;  mouth  large;  dorsal  nearer  adipose  fin  than  snout; 
A.  16  or  17;  color  black,  white  below;  size  small.     W. 
N.  Y.  to  New  England. 

gg.  Body  comparatively  slender  and  eel-like. 

16.  A.  brunneus,  Jordan.     GREEN   CAT.     Body  very 
slender,  elongate,  the  depth  about   5J  in  length;  head 
broad  and  flat,  about  4  in  length,  the  width  4-J-;  the  upper 
jaw  more  projecting  than  in  any  other  of  the   species 
known;  profile  convex,  not  steep;  dorsal  fin  very  high, 
f  length  of  head,  well  forward,  its  spine  nearer  snout 
than  adipose  fin;  anal  fin  short  and  high,  its  base  5  in 
length  of  body,  its  rays  16  to  18;  pectoral  spine  serrated; 
color  pale  olive-green ;  a  blackish  horizontal  bar  at  base 
of  dorsal.     The  slenderest  of  the  Amiuri,  abundant  in 
many  Southern  streams. 

3.  PELODICHTHYS,  Rafinesque.     MUD  CATS. 
(Hopladelus,  Raf.) 

1.  P.  olivaris,  (Raf.)  Gill  &  Jordan.  MUD  CAT.  Body 
very  long  and  slender,  much  depressed  forwards,  closely 
compressed  behind;  head  very  long  and  flat,  tapering 
downwards  and  forwards,  broadly  rounded  in  front; 
head  3^-  in  length,  depth  6  in  length;  dorsal  spine  some- 
what enveloped  in  thick  skin;  pectoral  spine  very  long, 
flattened,  serrated  behind;  adipose  fin  high  and  long; 
jaws  thin  and  flat  the  lower  always  the  longer;  colors 


.  —  ex.  335 


much  mottled;  anal  fin  quite  short,  of  15  rays.  A  sin- 
gular species,  reaching  a  very  large  size,  abounding  on 
the  bottoms  of  our  larger  Western  and  Southern  rivers. 

4.  NOTURUS,  Rafinesque.     STONE  CATS. 

*  Intermaxillary  band  of  teeth  with  strong  lateral  backward  pro- 
cesses, as  in  Pelodichthys.    (Noturus.) 

1.  N.  flavus,  Raf.     YELLOW  STONE  CAT.     Head  much 
depressed   and  flattened,  little  longer  than  broad;  bar- 
bels rather  short;  head  4J  in  length;  depth  of;  distance 
from  snout  to  dorsal  3;  middle  of  body  cylindrical,  some- 
what carinate  above;  adipose  fin  notched;  spine  of  pec- 
torals roughish  behind,  slightly  retrorse-  serrate  in  front. 
St.  Lawrence  to  Kentucky  and  Upper  Missouri,  abund- 
ant, the  largest  species,  reaching  a  length  of  a  foot. 

**  Intermaxillary  band  of  teeth  without  lateral  backward  pro- 

cess.   (Schilbeodes,  Bleeker.) 
t  Pectoral  spines  more  or  less  serrate  on  the  inner  edge  ;  adi- 

pose fin  notched. 

a.  Pectoral  spines  rather  small,  their  internal  serrae  feeble,  less 
than  half  the  diameter  of  the  spine;  anal  rather  long,  of 
more  than  14  rays. 

2.  N.  insignis,  (Rich.)  Gill  &  Jor.     MARGINED  STONE 
CAT.     Upper  jaw  decidedly  longest;  pectoral  spine  about 
half  length   of   head,    pretty   strongly   retrorse  -  serrate 
externally,  dorsal  spine  much  nearer  anal  than  snout,  the 
distance  from  snout  to  dorsal  more  than  one-third  the 
length;  anal   fin  with    16   to    19    rays;    body    elongate; 
head  flattened;  dusky,  a  distinct  black  margin  to  dorsal 
and  caudal  fins;  size  rather  large;    Pennsylvania  to  S. 
Carolina,  abundant.     [N".  lemniscatus,  (Val.)  Grd.     N. 
marginatiis,  Baird.] 

3.  N.  exilis,  Nelson.     SLENDER  STONE  CAT.     A  sort 
of  "  starved  "  representative  of  the   preceding,  smaller 


336  FISHES. 

and  slenderer,  with  smaller  fins;  pectoral  spine  about 
one-third  the  length  of  the  head;  jaws  almost  equal; 
dorsal  spine  nearer  snout  than  anal;  distance  from  snout 
to  dorsal  less  than  one-third  of  length;  anal  rays  15; 
color  brownish,  with  some  darker  mottlings ;  tip  of 
dorsal  black.  Illinois  to  Kansas. 
aa.  Pectoral  spines  very  strong,  curved,  their  internal  serrse  very 

strong,  spine-like,  more  than  half  the  diameter  of  the  spine ; 

coloration  variegated ;  a  series  of  definite  black  blotches  on 

the  back ;  anal  rays  less  than  14. 

4.  N.  miu r us,    Jordan.      SAW  -  S-PINED    STONE    CAT. 
Body  moderately  but  not    greatly   elongate,  the  dorsal 
region  more   or  less  elevated;  adipose  fin    continuous, 
high,  interrupted  by  a  notch  which  does  not  break  the 
continuity  of  the  fin,  the  rudimentary  caudal  rays  begin- 
ning  in    the    notch;  color    grayish,    with    four    definite 
broad    dorsal    cross-bars;    one    before   the    dorsal,    one 
behind  it;  one  on  middle  of  adipose  fin  and  one  small 
one  behind  it;  top  of  head  and  tips  of  fins  black;  A.  13. 
Ohio  to  Iowa  and  Louisiana,  abundant,  readily  known  by 
its  coloration  and  its  long,  rough  spines. 

5.  N.  eleutherus,  Jordan.     FREE  -  FINNED  STONE  CAT. 
Similar  but  larger  and   rather  stouter;  the  adipose  fin 
divided  to  its  very  base,  so  that  a  space  greater  than  the 
diameter  of  the  eye  intervenes  between  the  adipose  fin 
and  the  rudimentary  rays  of  the  caudal;  anal  11  to  13; 
colors  much  as  in  JV.  miurus.     French  Broad  River  and 
Tar  River,  N.  C. 

ff  Pectoral  spines  grooved  on  the  inner  edge,  not  serrated;  adi- 
pose fin  high  and  continuous. 

b.  Pectoral  spine  very  short  and  small,  less  than  one-fourth  the 
length  of  the  head ;  head  very  small  and  narrow. 

6.  N.  lepiacanthus,  Jor.     SMALL  -  SPINED  STONE  CAT. 
A  small,  slender  species,  with  very  feeble  spines,  found 
in  the  Alabama  and  other  Southern  Rivers. 


ANGUILLID^!. — CXI.  337 

bb.  Pectoral  spines  long  and  strong,  entire  without,  grooved  within, 
about  half  the  length  of  the  head;  color  pale  yellowish 
brown,  with  dark  streaks  along  the  sides. 

7.  N.  gyrinus,  (Mit.)  Raf.     TADPOLE  STONE  CAT.    A 
"  starved  "  representative  of  the  next,  slimmer  in  every- 
way; head  shorter  and  smaller;  body  more  elongate,  and 
more  compressed,  almost  ribbon-shaped  behind;  barbels 
pale;  anal  1 3.     S.  E.  N.  Y.,  and  Eastern  Penn.  and  N.  J. 

8.  N.  sialis,    Jordan.      CHUBBY    STONE    CAT.      The 
shortest  and  stoutest  of  all  the  species;  head  short  and 
very  broad,  nearly  4  in  length;  its  width  about  the  same; 
depth  4£  to  5£;  barbels  dark;  yellowish,  a  black  lateral 
streak  and  usually  three  dorsal  ones.     Ohio  to  Kansas, 
N.  to  British  America,  abundant. 


OEDEE  BB.-APODES. 

(The  Eels.) 

Maxillary  bones  rudimentary;  body  serpentiform ;  no 
ventral  fins;  scapular  arch  free  from  skull;  scales  small 
or  wanting. 

FAMILY  CXL— ANGUILLID^E. 

(The  Eels.) 

Body  much  elongated,  nearly  cylindrical,  covered  with 
small  scales;  vent  posterior;  pectorals  present;  vertical 
fins  confluent;  sides  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  the  maxil- 
laries;  intermaxillaries  more  or  less  coalescent  with  the 
vomer;  stomach  ccecal.  Genera  two  or  three;  "an 
infinite  number  of  species  have  been  described  "(Griin- 
ther),  but  the  actual  number  can  not  exceed  forty.  In 
seas  and  sluggish  fresh  waters  of  all  regions. 


15 


838  FISHES. 

/.  ANGUILLA,  Thunberg.     EELS. 

1.  A.  rostrata,  (LeS.)  DeK.  COMMON  AMERICAN  EEL. 
Distance  between  dorsal  and  anal  shorter  than  head.  U. 
S.,  chiefly  coastwise,  but  ascending  all  rivers  and  intro- 
duced into  the  Great  Lakes.  (A.  bostoniensis,  etc.,  of 
authors.)  But  one  species  is  recognizable  in  the  North- 
ern Hemisphere,  according  to  a  recent  French  writer, 
M.  Dareste,  who  unites  our  species  with  the  European 
A.  vulgaris. 


. — -cxii.  339 


CKanoitret. 

Ganoid  Fishes.) 

Skeleton  bony  or  cartilaginous ;  tail  more  or  less 
heterocercal ;  optic  nerves  forming  a  chiasma;  arterial 
bulb  rhythmically  contractile,  provided  with  several  rows 
of  valves;  air  bladder  frequently  cellular  and  lung-like; 
skin  usually  with  bony  plates;  intestine  usually  with  a 
spiral  valve;  ventral  fins,  if  present,  abdominal.  Of  this 
important  sub-class  but  few  species  are  now  existing, 
and  these  few  vary  widely  from  one  another.  Of  the 
earlier  fossil  fishes,  a  very  large  proportion  are  Ganoids. 


OEDEE  CC.-CYCLOGAirorDEI. 

(TTie  Cydoganoids.) 

This  order  contains  but  a  single  species  among  recent 
fishes. 

FAMILY  CXIL— AMIID^E. 

(The  B&w-Fins.) 

Body  oblong,  rather  stout,  covered  with  thick  cycloid 
scales;  tail  heterocercal,  the  caudal  peduncle  curved 
upwards  behind,  "like  a  sled-runner;"  a  large  bony 
buckler  between  branches  of  lower  jaw;  membrane 
bones  of  head  much  developed,  very  hard;  jaws  broad, 
with  strong  teeth  in  two  sets,  similar  teeth  on  vomer, 
palate  and  pterygoids;  snout  short,  rounded;  ventrals 
large,  abdominal;  dorsal  very  long,  the  ravs  of  nearly 


340  GANOID  FISHES. 

uniform  height;  anal  short  and  rather  high;  air  bladder 
large,  cellular,  lung -like,  communicating  by  a  glottis 
with  the  oesophagus;  stomach  large. 

A  single  species  is  found  in  the  larger  bodies  of  fresh 
water  in  the  U.  S.  from  N.  Y.  to  the  plains.  It  is 
exceedingly  tenacious  of  life,  even  more  so  than  the 
species  of  Amiurus.  The  flesh  is  soft  and  pasty,  and 
not  edible.  In  some  regions  its  voracity  has  acquired 
for  it  the  name  of  "  Lawyer,"  because,  as  has  been  said, 
"  it  will  bite  at  any  thing,  and  is  good  for  nothing  when 
caught." 

/.  AMIA,  Linnaeus.     BOWFINS. 

1.  A.  calva,  L.  BOWFIN.  DOG  FISH.  MUD  FISH. 
Depth  4  to  4£  in  length;  head  nearly  4;  eye  8  in  head; 
anterior  nostrils  each  with  a  short  barbel;  dark  olive  or 
blackish  above,  nearly  white  below;  sides,  with  traces 
of  greenish  markings;  lower  jaw  and  gular  plate  with 
round  blackish  spots;  fins  mostly  dark;  $  reaching  a 
length  of  18  inches,  with  a  roundish  black  spot  on  the 
upper  base  of  caudal,  which  is  surrounded  by  an  orange 
or  yellowish  shade;  ?  larger,  2  feet  or  more  in  length, 
without  the  black  caudal  spot;  D.  42  to  53;  A.  10  to  13; 
lat.  1.  65  to  70.  E.  U.  S.;  abundant  in  the  Great  Lakes. 
(A.  ornata,  reticulata,  and  viridis,  LeS.  A.  marmorata, 
comma,  lentiginosa,  cinerea,  and  subccerulea,  Val.  A. 
ocellicauda,  Rich.  A.  ^occidentalis^  DeK.  A.  thompsoni 
and  piquotii)  Dumeril.) 


OEDEE  DD.-EHOMBOGAlSrOIDEI. 

(The  Ehorriboganoids.) 

This  order   includes,  among  recent  fishes,  only   the 
following  family: 


LEPIDOSTEID^E.— CXin.  341 

FAMILY  CXIIL— LEPIDOSTEID^E. 

(The  Gar  Pikes.) 

Body  elongated,  sub  -  cylindrical,  covered  with  hard, 
enamelled,  lozenge  -  shaped,  ganoid  plates;  snout  elon- 
gated, spatulate,  •  or  beak -like;  upper  jaw  of  several 
pieces,  longer  than  the  lower,  which  is  formed  of  as 
many  parts  as  in  Reptiles;  both  jaws  and  palate  armed 
with  bands  of  rasp -like  teeth,  and  series  of  larger, 
conical  ones;  fins  with  fulcra  (elongated  modified  scales) 
in  front;  dorsal  and  anal  short  and  placed  far  back, 
moderately  high;  vertebrae  concavo-convex,  with  ball 
and  socket  joints  as  in  Reptiles;  air  bladder  cellular, 
like  the  lungs  of  Reptiles,  connected  with  the  pharynx; 
stomach  not  ccecal  but  with  numerous  pyloric  append- 
ages ;  intestine  with  rudimentary  spiral  valve  ;  no  spir- 
acles; branchiostegals  three;  pseudobranchiae  present. 
Fresh  waters  of  N.  A.,  from  New  England  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  S.  to  Central  America  and  Cuba.  Genera 
two  or  three  (Cylindrosteus  seems  to  us  to  be  rather  a 
sub-genus  of  Lepidosteus) ;  species  probably  about  five 
although  forty  have  been  described;  until  some  more 
tangible  distinctions  are  shown,  we  can  admit  but 
three.* 

*  In  a  recent  work  on  these  fishes,  Prof.  August  Duraeril  very  laboriously 
distinguishes  the  following  "species"  among  the  specimens  of  Lepidosteus  in 
the  Museum  at  Paris: 

L.  osseus,  (L.)  (=  L.  gavialis,  Lac.);  L.  louisianensls,  Dum.  0=  L.  oxyurus, 
Raf.  =  Sarchirus  viitatus,  Rat'.);  L.  harlani,  L.  ay  rest,  L.  smithii,  L.  copei,  L. 
lamarii,  L.  clintonii,  L.  troostii,  L.  piquotianus,  L.  lesueurii,  L.  elizabeth,  L. 
thompsoni.  L.  horatii,  L.  milberti,  L.  treculii,  Dumeril;  and  L.  huronensis,  Rich. 
Of  Cylindrosteus,  he  finds  C.  platystomus  (Raf.);  C.  productus  (Cope);  C.  pla- 
t yrhynchus  (DeK.);  C.  agassizii,  C.  rafinesquei,  C.  bartoni,  C.  castelnaudii  and. 
C.  zadocM,  Dum. 

Most  of  these  nominal  species  are  based  upon  the  most  trifling  individual 
differences,  and  often  the  right  side  of  a  specimen  indicates  one  "  species,"  and 
the  left  another.  As  matters  stand,  we  have  no  alternative  but  to  reject  them 
all,  and  to  wait  for  the  time  when  systematic  writers  shall  be  wiser  or  more, 
honest. 


342  GANOID  FISHES. 

*  Large  teeth  on  the  maxillaries  in  a  single  row;  species  of 

moderate  size,  2  to  5  feet  long.        .        .        LEPIDOSTEUS,  1. 

**  Large  teeth  on  the  maxillaries  in  two  rows;  snout  broad, 

depressed,  about  equal  to  rest  of  head ;  size  large,  length 

5  to  10  feet LITHOLEPIS,  2. 

/.  LEPIDOSTEUS,  Lac6pede.     GAR  PIKES. 

Sarchirus,  Raf.     (Young  with  the  pectoral  fins  fleshy.) 

*  Snout  very  slender,  much  longer  than  the  rest  of  the  head. 

(Lepidosteus.) 

1.  L  osseus,  (L.)  Ag.    GAR  PIKE.    BONY  GAR.    BILL 
FISH.     Head  nearly  3  in  length;  depth  nearly  12;  snout 
more  than  twice  the  length  of  rest  of  head;  eye  nearly 
2J  in  distance  to  margin  of  preopercle,  more  than  2  in 
interorbital   space;  ventrals  midway  between  pectorals 
and  anal;  olivaceous,  white  below;  sides  with  obscure 
spots,   more  evident  posteriorly;  vertical  fins  with  dis- 
tinct round  black  spots;  D.  7;  A.  9;  lat.  line  64  to  66; 
length  2  to   5   feet.     N.   Y.   to   the  plains  and    South, 
abundant  in  large  bodies  of  water. 

*  Snout  shortened,  rather  broad,  about  as  long  as  the  rest  of  the 

head.     (Cylindrosteus,  Eaf.) 

2.  L  p/atystomus,   Raf.      SHORT- NOSED   GAR   PIKE. 
Depth  7  to  8  in  length;  head  3£;  eye  10  in  head,  three 
times  nearer  opercular  margin  than  end  of  snout;  ven- 
trals much  nearer  P.  than  A.;  length  of  head  notably 
shorter  than  from  P.  to  V.;  olivaceous,  sides  and    fins 
spotted  with  black;  D.  7;  A.  8;  lat.  1.  60  to  65.     Great 
Lakes  and  streams  S.  and  W.  of  N.  Y.  to  Rocky  Moun- 
tains. 

2.  LITHOLEPIS,  Rafinesque.     ALLIGATOR  GARS. 

=  Atractosteus,  Raf. 
1.  L  spatula,  (Lac.)  Jor.  GREAT  GAR.  ALLIGATOR  GAR, 


POLYODONTID^:. — cxiv.  343 

DIAMOND  FISH.  Snout  broad,  depressed,  the  length  of 
the  cleft  of  the  mouth  being  about  half  the  length  of  the 
head;  color  olivaceous;  head  3J  in  length;  D.  8;  A.  8; 
lat.  1.  60;  very  large,  reaching  a  length  of  8  feet  or  more. 
Mississippi  Valley,  N.  to  Illinois  and  Ohio,  abund- 
ant southward.  (A.  ferox,  Kaf  L.  adamantinus 
Raf.) 


OEDER  EE.-SELACHOSTOMI. 

(The  Spoon -Bills.) 
This  order  contains  but  the  single  family  Polyodontidce 

FAMILY  CXIV.— POLYODONTID^E. 

(TTie  Spoon-Billed  Cats.) 

Body  elongated;  skin  naked,  with  minute  stellated 
roughnesses,  and  some  bony  plates  about  head  and  tail; 
mouth  very  wide,  not  inferior,  but  overhung  by  the  long 
snout;  minute  teeth  on  lower  jaw,  maxillaries  and  palate, 
teeth  sometimes  deciduous  with  age ;  snout  produced  into 
a  very  long  and  spatula-like  process,  thin  and  flexible  at 
its  edges;  no  barbels;  caudal  with  fulcra,  as  in  Lepidos- 
teus,  heterocercal,  the  lower  lobe  well  developed;  opercle 
with  a  long  flap  reaching  to  pectorals  or  beyond,  and 
sometimes  to  ventrals;  spiracles  present;  no  tongue;  one 
broad  branchiostegal;  air  bladder  large,  communicating 
with  the  oesophagus;  intestine  with  a  well  -  developed 
spiral  valve;  stomach  ccecal,  with  a  broad  divided  pyloric 
appendage.  Fresh  waters  of  U.  S.  and  China.  Species 
two;  P.  ^olium  from  the  Mississippi,  and  P.  gladius 
from  the  Yangtsekiang. 


344  GANOID  FISHES. 

/.  POLYODON,L?icepede.     DUCK-BILLED  CATS. 

=  Spatularia^  Shaw. 
=  Planirostra,)  LeSueur. 

1.  P.  folium,  Lacepede.  DUCK-BILLED  CAT.  SPOON- 
BILLED  STURGEON.  Snout  nearly  -^  of  length;  opercular 
flap  reaching  much  beyond  pectorals;  fins  all  more  or 
less  falcate;  color  gray;  D.  55  to  60;  A.  56;  length  5 
feet  or  more.  Mississippi  and  its  larger  tributaries, 
abundant.  A  singular  fish,  bearing  considerable  resem- 
blance to  a  Shark. 


ORDER  FF-CHOIfTDROSTEL 

(The  Cartilaginous  Ganoids.) 
This  order  is  equivalent  to  the  family  Acipenseridce. 

FAMILY  CXV.— ACIPENSERID^E. 

(The  Sturgeons.) 

Body  elongate,  sub-cylindrical,  with  five  longitudinal 
rows  of  bony  shields,  the  lower  sometimes  deciduous; 
snout  produced;  mouth  entirely  inferior,  transverse, 
protractile,  toothless;  four  barbels  in  a  row  under  snout 
in  front  of  mouth;  vertical  fins  with  fulcra;  caudal  he te- 
rocercal;  dorsal  and  anal  far  back.  No  branchiostegals ; 
air  bladder  large,  not  cellular;  stomach  not  coecal,  with 
pyloric  appendages;  intestines  with  spiral  valve.  Dis- 
tribution same  as  that  of  Salmo.  Fresh  waters  of 
northern  regions,  some  species  marine  and  entering  rivers. 
Genera  two;  species  twenty  (Q-unther),  eighty  or  more 
(August  Dume'ril).  Perhaps  in  no  group  has  the  making 
of  nominal  species  been  carried  to  a  greater  extent  than 
in  this. 


ACIPENSERIB^. — CXV.  345 

*  Rows  of  bony  bucklers  distinct  throughout ;  spiracles  present ; 

snout  rather  narrow,  sub-conical.        .        .       ACIPENSER,!. 
**  Rows  of  bony  bucklers  confluent  behind,  entirely  surround- 
ing the  depressed  tail ;   no  spiracles ;  snout  flattened,  rather 
broad,  shovel-shaped.        .       .       .     SCAPHIBHYKCHOPS,  2. 

/.  ACIPENSER,  Linnaeus.     STURGEONS. 

*  Marine  species  ascending  rivers ;  lateral  shields  22  to  32. 

1.  A.  stur/o,  L.     COMMON  SEA  STURGEON.      SHARP- 
NOSED  STURGEON.     Snout  pointed,  half  the  length   of 
head;  dorsal  shields  11  to  13;  lateral  shields  26  to  31; 
D.  37  to  44  rays.     Atlantic  Ocean  S.  to  Africa  and  West 
Indies.     (A.  oxyrhynchus,  Mit.,  the  American  form.) 

2.  A.  brevirostris,  LeSueur.    BLUNT-NOSED  STURGEON. 
Snout  blunt,  one-quarter  length  of  head;  dorsal  shields 
8  to  10;  lateral  shields  22  to  28-;  abdominal  8  to  10;  D. 
30  rays;  skin  with  minute  scattered  prickles  and  stellate 
ossifications.     Cape  Cod  to  Fla. 

**  Species  of  fresh  water ;  lateral  shields  33  to  38. 

3.  A.  maculosus,  LeSueur.     ROCK  STURGEON.     BONY 
STURGEON.     Snout  pointed,   nearly   as  long  as  rest  of 
head;  head  3£  in  length   of  body;  bony   shields  large, 
close  together,  13  to  16  in  front  of  dorsal,  33  to  38  on 
sides,  9  or  10  on  abdomen,  all  of  them  rough  and  strongly 
radiated,  with  more  or  less  hooked  or  incurved  tips;  skin 
rough;  D.  37  to  45.     Great  Lakes  (?),  Ohio  R.  and  south- 
ward. 

4.  A.  rubicund  us,  LeSueur.     RED  STURGEON.     LAKE 
STURGEON.     Head  4-J-  in  length;  eye  10  in  head,  nearly 
midway;  dorsal  scutes  16  (to  base  of  D),  relatively  small 
and  rather  distant;  lateral  scutes  35;  ventral  scutes  9; 
snout  rather  blunt,  becoming  more  so  with  age,  rather 
shorter  than  rest  of  headj  barbels  nearer  to  end  of  snout 


346  GANOID  FISHES. 

than  to  eye;  scutes  relatively  smaller,  smoother  and  less 
crowded  than  in  the  preceding;  blackish,  sides  paler  or 
reddish;  length  2  to  6  feet;  D.  37.  Great  Lakes  and 
Western  Rivers. 

2.  SCAPHIRHYNCHOPS,   Gill.      SHOVEL -NOSED    STUR- 
GEONS. 

—  Scaphirhynchus,  Heckel  (preoccupied  in  Birds). 

1.  S.  platyrhynchus,  (Raf.)  Gill.  SHOVEL-NOSED  STUR- 
GEON. Tail  wider  than  deep,  extending  beyond  caudal 
rays  and  ending  in  a  filament;  snout  nearly  the  form  of 
a  spade;  whole  body  rough  with  small  prickles;  dorsal 
shields  15  or  16;  lateral  shields  40  to  46;  abdominal  10 
to  13;  all  the  shields  rough  and  strongly  carinated,  the 
keel  ending  behind  in  a  spine  which  points  backward; 
size  large.  Mississippi  Valley. 


LAMPREYS. 


347 


ittlass 

( The  Lampreys?) 

Skeleton  cartilaginous,  without  ribs,  limbs,  shoulder 
girdle  nor  pelvic  elements;  skull  imperfectly  developed, 
without  true  jaws;  a  single  median  nostril;  gills  in  the 
form  of  fixed  sacs,  without  branchial  arches;  gill  sacs 
typically  seven  on  each  side ;  mouth  nearly  circular,  suc- 
torial; no  scales;  body  elongated,  eel-shaped;  alimentary 
canal  nearly  straight  and  simple;  no  arterial  bulb. 

(Class  VI.  —  ELASMOBRAXCHJI,  the  Selachians,  repre- 
sented on  our  Atlantic  Coast  by  many  species  of  Sharks 
and  Skates,  is  here  omitted,  as  its  members  are  exclusively 
marine,  and  it  does  not  therefore  come  within  the  scope 
of  this  treatise.  Class  VIII.  —  LEPTOCAEDII,  the  Lan- 
celets,  is  also  omitted  for  the  same  reason.  The  latter 
class  contains,  as  far  as  now  known,  but  two  genera, 
Epigonopterus  and  Amphioxus,  with  two  or  three  species. 
One  of  these,  Amphioxus  caribceus,  Sundevall,  occurs 
along  the  coast  of  our  South  Atlantic  States.) 

ORDERS  OF  MARSIPOBRANCHII. 

*  Nasal  duct  a  blind  sac,  not  penetrating  the  palate. 

HYPEROARTIA,  GO. 

**  Nasal  duct  penetrating  the  palate.       HYPEROTRETA,  page  347 
GG.  FAMILIES  OF  HYPEROARTIA. 

*  Branchial  sacs  seven  on  each  side  •  intestine  with  spiral  valve. 

PETROMTZOXTHXE,  116. 

FAMILIES  OF  HYPEROTRETA. 

*  One  external  aperture  on  each  side  of  body,  leading  by  six  ducts 

to  as  many  branchial  sacs ;   no  spiral  valve ;  marine  para- 
sites, burrowing  into  the  bodies  of  other  fishes. 

Myxmidce,  the  Hag  Fishes. 


348  LAMPREYS. 

OEDEE  GG.-HYPEEOAETIA. 

(The  Lampreys.) 

FAMILY  CXVL—  PETROMYZONTID^E. 

(The  Lampreys.) 

Body  eel-shaped,  naked;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  long  and 
low,  usually  continuous  with  the  caudal;  mouth  suctorial, 
armed  with  horny  teeth  which  rest  on  papillae.  Eggs 
small. 

These  animals  undergo  a  metamorphosis;  the  young 
are  usually  toothless,  and  have  the  eyes  rudimentary. 
Genera  five  or  six,  in  temperate  regions,  found  in  all 
waters.  They  attach  themselves  to  fishes  and  other  ani- 
mals, and  feed  by  scraping  off  the  flesh,  by  means  of 
their  rasp-like  teeth. 

The  American  species  are  still  very  imperfectly  known. 
Until  quite  recently  the  larvce  were  considered  as  form- 
ing distinct  genera,  which  have  been  termed  Ammocoetes, 
Scolecosoma^  Chilopterus,  etc. 

*  Maxillary  teeth  two,  pointed,  close  together ;  size  large. 

PETROMYZON,  1. 
**  Maxillary  teeth  single,  bicuspid  or  tricuspid. 

AMMOCCETES,  2. 

/.  PETROMYZON,  Linnseus.     LAMPREYS. 

1.  P.  marinas,  L.  GKEAT  SEA  LAMPBEY.  Resembles 
the  next,  but  larger,  with  a  shorter  head,  which  is  but 
little  longer  than  the  "chest"  (space  occupied  by  the 
branchial  openings);  color  olive  brown,  mottled  with 
black ;  L.  30  to  40.  Marine,  ascending  rivers,  eastward. 
(P.  americanus,  LeS.) 


PETEOMYZONTED^E. — CXVI.  349 

2.  AMMOC(ETES,  Dumeril.     LAMPERNS. 

Lampetra,  Gray. 

>AmmocceteS)  Dumeril,  (Z/arvce.) 

Ichthyomyzon  &  Scolecosoma,  Grd. 

1.  A.fluv/at/'//s,(L.)Jor.  LARGE  BLACK  LAMPREY.  Head 
very  large,  longer  than  the  "chest,"  6£  in  length;  depth 
about  13;  body  little  compressed;  dorsal  fins  rather  low, 
distinctly    separated;    eyes  and   mouth    very    large;    a 
depression  between  eyes  and  snout;  a  single  bicuspid 
tooth  in  front  of  oesophagus;  mandibulary  plate  curved, 
with  about  eight  pointed  teeth;  rest  of  mouth  covered 
with  rather  large  teeth  disposed  in  oblique  cross-rows, 
five  or  more  in  each  row;  lips  fringed;  L.  12.     Lakes 
and  streams,  Cayuga  L.,  N.  Y.  (Wilder),  and  E.;  prop- 
erly a  marine  species.     Also  in  Europe.     (P.  nigricans, 
LeS.,  the  American  form.)      (Several  other  Lampreys 
have  been  described  from  our  Eastern  streams  and  coast, 
but  they  are  very  doubtful.) 

2.  A.  niger,  (Raf.)  Jor.  SMALL  BLACK  LAMPREY.  Head 
moderate,  longer  than  "chest,"  &J  in  total  length;  depth 
14;  body  scarcely  compressed  except  behind;  dorsal  fins 
rather  high,  slightly  connected;  eyes  large;  mouth  rather 
small,  one  tooth  with  two  cusps  well  apart  in  front  of 
oesophagus;  mandibulary  plate  nearly  straight,  with  about 
eight  sub-equal  teeth;  a  few  scattering  teeth  on  sides  of 
mouth;  snout  rounded;  dark  blue  black,  unspotted,  sil- 
very below;  L.  8  to  11.     Great  Lakes,  Upper  Miss,  and 
Ohio  Valley,  abundant   in    many   localities,    ascending 
small  brooks  in  the  spring. 

3.  A.  argenteus,  (Kirt.)  Jor.  SILVERY  LAMPREY.  Head 
quite  small,  shorter  than  "  chest,"  about  10  in  length; 
depth  nearly  the  same,  in  adult;  body  stout,  compressed; 
dorsal  fin  very  high,  with  a  shallow  depression;  eyes  dis- 


350  LAMPREYS. 

tinct  in  adult,  concealed  in  young;  mouth  small,  with 
inconspicuous  teeth;  color  ashy  silvery,  with  numerous 
small  black  dots;  larger  ones  above  the  gill  openings; 
L.  12.  Great  Lakes  and  Ohio  Valley,  E.  to  N.  Y.,  fre- 
quent. (Ammocoetes  concolor,  Kirt.,  A.  cepyptera,  Ab- 
bott.) 

3.  A.  hirudof  (Grd.)  Jor.  LEECH  LAMPEEY.  Grayish, 
unspotted;  eyes  small;  "mandibulary  plate  with  seven 
teeth;"  appearance  of  P.  argenteus.  Great  Lakes  and 
Miss.  Valley. 


ADDENDA. 


To  page  16,  after  Canis  lupus: 

2.  C.  latrans,  Say.    COYOTE.     PRAIRIE  WOLF.    This 

common  species  of  the  Western  plains  is  said  still  to 
occur  occasionally  in  Wisconsin.  It  is  much  smaller  in 
size  than  C.  lupus. 

To  page  19,  after  MEPHITIS  MEPHITICA: 
Subgenus  Spilogale,  Gray. 

2.  M.  putorius,  (L.)  Coues.  LITTLE  STRIPED  SKUNK. 
Black,  with  white  patch  on  forehead;  four  parallel  dor- 
sal stripes,  broken  behind;  tail  black,  with  white  pencil 
at  tip.  Size  very  small.  L.  11;  T.  7£.  Southwestern, 
said  to  have  occurred  in  Wisconsin. 


On  page  26,  for  the  analysis  of  genera,  substitute: 

*  Ears  ordinary  ;  feet  fimbriate  ;  tail  at  least  as  long  as  head  and 
body;  teeth  32  -^f|  ......  NEOSOREX,  1. 

**  Ears  ordinary  ;  feet  not  fimbriate  ;  tail  shorter  than  head  and 
body  .........  SOREX,  2. 

***  Ears  small,  the  parts  directed  forwards,  so  as  to  show  no  open 
ing  and  no  external  ear  whatever  ;  feet  ordinary  ;  tail  about 
as  long  as  head  .......  BLABINA. 

/.  NEOSOREX,  Baird.     WATER  SHREWS. 
1.  N.  pa/ustris,   (Rich.)    Coues.     Back   hoary   black; 
belly  ashy  gray;   largest  of  our  shrews;    L.    6;   T.    2£. 
British  America,  S.  to  N.  H.  and  Mass. 

351 


352  ADDENDA. 

2.  SOREX,  Linnaeus.     SHREWS. 
*  Teeth  colored,  32— ff .    (Sorex.) 

1.  S.  forsteri,  Rich.      Ears  small;    tail   f   length  of 
head  and  body;  snout  slender;  L.  4£;  T.  If.     N.  U.  S. 

2.  S.  richardsoni,  Bach.    Ears  rather  small;  tail  scant- 
haired;  L.  4;  T.  If     Wis.  and  N. 

3.  S.  platyrhinus,  (DeK.)  Wagn.      COMMON  SHREW. 
Ears  very  large  for  a  Shrew;    tail  scant-haired;    color 
chestnutty;  L.  3f;  T.  If     N.  U.  S. 

4.  S.  cooper! ,  Bach.     Ears  large;  chestnut  brown;  L. 
8f ;  T.  If     N.  U.  S. 

5.  S.  personafus,    Geoff.     St.   Hilaire.      Ears    large; 
chestnut  brown;  L.  2f ;  T.  1;   smallest  of  our  Shrews. 
Penn.  and  S. 

**  Teeth  30— |f.    (Microsorex,  Baird.) 

6.  S.  hoy  I,  Baird.      HOY'S  SHREW.      Very  small  and 
slender;  ears  large;  -olive  brown;  L.  3;  T.  If     North- 
ern States.     (S.  thompsoni,  Bd.) 

3.  BLARINA,  Gray.     SHORT-TAILED  SHREWS. 
*  Teeth  32— f|.    (Blarina.) 

1.  B.  bre vicauda,  (Say)  Baird.    SHORT-TAILED  SHREW. 
Size  large  for  a  Shrew;  fur  short  and  coarse;  color  dark 
ashy  gray;  L.  4-£;  T.  1.     E.  U.  S.,  common.     \B.  tal- 
poides  (Gapper)  Baird.] 

2.  B.  caro/inens/Sf  (Bach.)  Bd.     Smaller;  leaden  gray; 
L.  3i;  T.  f.     U.  S.,  chiefly  southward. 

3.  B.  angusticeps,  Baird.     Intermediate;  skull  usual- 
ly narrow;  uniform  plumbeous.      L.  3£;    T.  1.      New 
England. 

**  Teeth  30— ^f .    (Soriciscus,  Coues.) 


ADDENDA.  353 

4.  B.  parva,   (Say).      Body    stout;    iron    gray,  with 
brown  gloss;  L.  3^;  T.  f .     Southern  States,  N.  to  Penn. 
\B.  cinerea  (Bach.)  Bd.] 

5.  B.  exilipesr  Baird.     Small,  fur  full;  feet  very  small; 
hoary  olive;  L.  &J-;  T.  f.     Southern  States,  N.  to  Ills. 
The   number  of  species  of  Blarina  and  Sorex  is  still 
uncertain,  and  their  geographical  distribution  has  been 
little  studied. 

To  page  28,  after  Tamias  striatus: 

2.  T.  quadrivittatus,  (Say)  Wagner.  MISSOURI  CHIP- 
MUNK. Smaller;  inter-spaces  between  the  stripes  all 
whitish  (in  T.  striatus,  the  upper  interspaces  are  colored 
like  the  back);  L.  8;  T.  4.  Wisconsin  (Hoy)  and  North- 
westward. 

To  page  61,  after  Helminthopfiaga  pinus,  add: 

2.  (b)  H.  /awrencii,  Herrick.  LAWRENCE'S  WARBLER. 
Olive  green  above;  wings  bluish  gray,  with  two  white 
bands;  crown  and  under  parts  orange;  a  broad  black 
patch  from  bill  through  and  beyond  eye;  chin,  throat 
and  fore  part  of  breast  black,  these  patches  separated 
from  the  loral  patch  by  a  yellow  stripe;  L.  4|;  W.  2-J-; 
T.  2.  New  Jersey,  two  specimens  known. 

2.  (c)  H.  leucobronchialis,  Brewster.  WHITE-THROAT- 
ED WARBLER.  Crown  bright  yellow;  wing  coverts 
chiefly  yellow;  superciliary  line,  cheeks  and  entire  under 
parts  silky- white,  the  breast  tinged  with  yellow;  nape 
ashy;  upper  surface  otherwise  olive;  a  narrow  stripe  of 
black  from  base  of  bill  through  and  behind  eye;  no 
traces  of  black  on  cheeks  or  throat;  L.  5-J;  W.  2£;  T, 
If.  Massachusetts,  one  specimen  known, 


354  ADDENDA. 

To  page  77,  after  Collurio  borealis : 

2.  C.  ludovicianuSf  (L.)  Bd.  LOGGERHEAD  SHRIKE. 
Slate-colored  above,  the  rump  scarcely  paler;  blackhead 
stripe  not  bordered  above  by  hoary;  L.  8£;  W.  4;  T.  4£. 
Southern  States,  up  to  Illinois,  etc. 

To  page  83,  after  Plectrophanes  pieties: 

***  Bill  very  large,  turgid,  without  ruff;  hind  claw  straight  but 
short.     (Rhynchophanes,  Kaup.) 

4.  P.  maccownii,  Lawr.  MACCOWN'S  BUNTING.  Crown 
and  pectoral  crescent  black;  bend  of  wing  chestnut; 
superciliary  line  and  under  parts  white;  back  streaked; 
outer  tail  feathers  white,  inner  partly  white,  the  white 
areas  being  cut  squarely  off;  L.  6±;  W.  3f;  T.  2-J-;  B. 
nearly  -|.  Plains,  chiefly  northward,  E.  to  Illinois. 
(Nelson.) 

To  page  88,  after  Junco  hyemalis: 

2.  J.  oregonus,  (Towns.)  Scl.  OREGON  SNOW-BIRD. 
Head,  neck  and  breast  black;  back  and  wings  with  red- 
dish brown,  belly  white,  sides  brownish  tinged;  $  duller; 
L.  6^;  W.  3;  T.  3.  Rocky  Mts.  to  Pacific  Coast,  stray- 
ing East  to  Illinois.  (Nelson.) 

On  page  105,  line  5,  add  to  the  common  names  of  C. 
auratus,  the  name  "  Yellow  Hammer" 

On  page  108: 

In  Otus  brachyotus,  occasionally  but  one  primary  is 
emarginate;  the  species  however  differs  strikingly  in 
color  from  0.  vulgaris,  the  under  parts  especially  being 
less  variegated.  Mr.  Ridgway  informs  me  that  the  genus 
Asio,  Brisson,  should  probably  stand  instead  of  Otus. 
Our  species  would  then  be  called  Asio  otus  and  Asio 
brachyotus. 


ADDENDA.  355 

On  page  188,  after  R.  palustris,  add: 

2.  (b)  R.  circu/osa,  Rice  and  Davis  (sp.  nov).  Hoos- 
IER  FROG.  Head  broad;  body,  head  and  sides  with  the 
ground  color  largely  predominating,  and  with  narrow 
rings  of  a  greenish  slate  color,  which  become  larger  and 
more  irregular  posteriorly;  hind  legs  black,  crossed  with 
irregular  lines  of  yellowish  slate  color;  fore  limbs  simi- 
larly marmorate;  tympanum  black  with  pale  ring;  below 
chiefly  yellowish  white;  toes  very  long;  size  medium: 
L.  3J.  Benton  Co.,  Indiana,  lately  discovered  by  Mr. 
E.  F.  Shipman.  (Abridged  from  Mr.  Rice's  Notes.) 

On  page  271: 

Genus  SALMO. 

Since'  the  part  of  this  work  referring  to  the  SalmonidoB 
has  been  stereotyped,  Professor  Gill  and  the  writer  have 
been  enabled  to  review  the  various  species  of  that  family 
found  in  the  United  States.  Under  the  genus  "  Salmo", 
as  denned  in  the  text,  at  least  four  very  distinct  genera 
are  confounded,  which  may  be  briefly  diagnosed  as 
follows: 

*  Anal  fin  elongate,  of  14  to  17  rays,  vomer  narrow,  long,  flat, 
with  weak  teeth,  no  hyoid  teeth ;  snout  in  adult  males  in  the 
spawning  season  in  typical  species  greatly  distorted,  the 
premaxillaries  prolonged,  hooking  over  the  lower  jaw, 
which  in  turn  is  greatly  prolonged  upward  and  forward 
and  somewhat  hooked  at  tip ;  the  teeth  of  the  premaxillaries 
and  of  the  tip  of  the  lower  jaw  being  then  greatly  enlarged; 
a  fleshy  hump  also  developed  before  the  dorsal  fin ;  species, 
black-spotted ONCORHTTNCHUS,  1. 

**  Anal  fin  short,  of  9—12  rays. 

f  Vomer  flat,  its  toothed  surface  plane;  teeth  on  the  shaft  of 
the  vomer  in  two  alternating  rows  or  in  one  zigzag  row, 
placed  directly  on  the  surface  of  the  bone,  not  on  a  free 


356  ADDENDA. 

keel -like  crest;  (posterior  vomerine  teeth  sometimes 
deciduous) ;  species  of  various  habit,  black-spotted,  the  last 
rays  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  somewhat  elongate.  SALMO,  2. 

ft  Vomer  somewhat  boat-shaped,  the  shaft  depressed  and  the 
teeth  placed  not  directly  on  the  shaft  but  on  a  raised  crest, 
which  is  posteriorly  free;  a  band  of  stout  recurved 
teeth  on  the  hyoid  bone;  scales  small;  caudal  well 
forked ;  dorsal  and  anal  not  elevated  behind ;  species  of 
large  size,  gray-spotted,  not  anadromous,  inhabiting 
American  lakes CRISTTVOMER,  3. 

ftf  Vomer  somewhat  boat-shaped;  the  shaft  depressed  and 
entirely  toothless;  scales  very  small,  in  225 — 250  rows; 
dorsal  and  anal  not  elevated  behind ;  species  of  rather 
small  size,  crimson-spotted,  the  lower  fins  with  marginal 
bands  of  black  and  pale;  not  anadromous,  but  some- 
times descending  to  the  sea,  in  salt  water  losing  all 
markings  and  becoming  nearly  plain  silvery. 

SALVELINUS,  4. 

In  the  following  account,  I  include  all  the  species  thus 
far  known  from  the  waters  of  the  United  States,  as  the 
general  interest  felt  in  this  group  of  fishes  seems  to 
render  this  arrangement  desirable. 

/.   ONCORHYNCHUS,  Suckley.     HOOKED- JAW  SALMONS. 

*  Body  not  greatly  compressed;  upper  jaw  the  longer;  sexual 
peculiarities  excessively  developed;  size  large.  (Oncorhyn- 
chus.) 

.  0.  gorbuscha,  (Walbaum)  Gill  &  Jordan.  HUMP- 
BACK SALMON.  Scales  very  small,  in  more  than  200 
transverse  rows.  N.  W.  Coast.  (S.  proteus,  Pallas. 
S.  gibber,  Bloch.) 

2.  0.  keta,  (Walb.)  G.  &  J.  EKEWAN.  Scales 
medium,  in  170  (155—180)  rows;  B.  16.  N.  W.  Coast. 
(S.  scouleri,  Rich.,  /S.  lagocephalus^  Pall.,  S.  confluentus, 
Suckl.) 


ADDENDA.  357 

3.  0.  nerka,  (Walb.)  G.  &  J>     DOG  SALMON.     Scales 
large,  in  133  (120—140)  rows;  B.  13;  C.  feebly  forked; 
form    elongate,    heavy   forwards.     N.    W.    Coast.      (S. 
lycaodon,  Pall.,  S.  canis,  cooperi  and  richardi,  Suckley. 
S.  paucidenS)  Rich.) 

4.  0.  quinnat,  (Rich.)  Gthr.     QUINNAT.     CALIFORNIA 
SALMON.      Scales  large,  in  120 — 140   rows;  B.    15;  C. 
well  forked;  body  deepest  mesially,  less  elongate.     W. 
Coast,  now  largely  introduced  into  Eastern  waters.     (S 
argyreus,  Grd.,  S.  warreni,  Suckley.) 

**  Body  oblong,  very  strongly  compressed,  back  elevated,  the 
dorsal  fin  posterior;  mouth  large,  the  lower  jaw  rather  the 
longer  ;  sexual  peculiarities  moderately  developed  ;  size 
small.  (Hypsifario,  Gill.) 

5.  0.  kennerlii,  (Suckl.)  Jor.     RED  SALMON   OF  THE 
CHILOWEYUCK.     Scales  large,  in   130 — 140   rows.     W. 

U.S. 

2.  SALMO,  Linnasus.     SALMONS. 
(Fario,  Val.,  Salar,  Val.,  Trutta,  Siebold.) 
*  Anadromous  salmon  with  the  vomerine  teeth  little  developed, 
those  on  the  shaft  of  the  bone  few,  deciduous ;  scales  large 
(in  about  130  rows) ;  caudal  fin  well  forked,  truncate  in  very 
old  individuals ;  no  hyoid  teeth;  lower  jaws  hooked  up  wards 
in  breeding  males,  the  upper  jaw  being  then  emarginate 
or  perforate.    (Salmo.) 

1.  S.  sa/arr  L.     COMMON  SALMON  (see  text).     When 
landlocked  in  inland  lakes,  it  becomes  var.  sebago.     (S. 
gloveri,  Grd.,  S.  omiscomaycus,  Walb.) 
**  River  salmon,  with  the  vomerine  teeth  largely  developed,  those 
on  the  shaft  of  the  bone  numerous,  in  one  zigzag  row,  or  in 
two    alternating   rows,    persistent;    caudal    little    forked. 
(Salar,  Val.) 
f  Hyoid  bone  toothless. 

a.  Scales  large,  in  120  —  150  transverse  rows;    caudal  fin 
forked. 


358  ADDENDA. 

2.  S.  irideus,  Gibbons.    PACIFIC  BROOK  TROUT.    Form 
stout;  head  short,  bluntish;  mouth  small,  the  maxillary 
scarcely  reaching  beyond  eye.     Streams  W.  of   Sierra 
Nevada.     (S.  newberrii,  Grd.,  S.  masoni,  Suckl.) 

aa.  Scales  small,  in  165—205  rows. 

&.  Caudal  somewhat  forked;  head  small,  conical,  rather 
pointed. 

3.  S.  tsuppitch,  Rich.     BLACK  TROUT  OF  LAKE  TAHOE. 
Rather   slender;    mouth   moderate;    opercle    prolonged 
backwards;  scales  in  180  rows.     Streams  W.  of  Sierra 
Nevada. 

bb.  Caudal  double-rounded ;  head  heavy,  shortish,  convex. 

4.  S.  stom/as,  Cope.     BIG-MOUTHED  TROUT.     Mouth 
very  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  much  beyond    eye; 
opercle  not  specially  prolonged;  black  spots  most  numer- 
ous posteriorly.     Rocky  Mountain  region,  Wyoming  to 
Arizona. 

Var.  stom/as.     Scales  small,  in  200  rows;  head  broad 
and  flat  above.     Kansas  R. 

Var.  pleuriticus,   Cope.     Scales   small,   in   200   rows; 
head  carinate.     Generally  distributed. 

Var.  spilurus,   (Cope).     Scales    larger,   in    170    rows; 
heud  strongly  convex.     Utah  to  Colorado,  etc. 

t  Hyoid  bone  with  an  elongate  band  of  small  teeth  (easily 

scraped  off'  by  careless  observers). 

c.  Head  large  and  long — acuminate ;  hyoid  teeth  weak ;  cau- 
dal somewhat  forked. 

5.  5.  henshawi,  G.&  J.  (sp.n.)    SILVER  TROUT  OF  LAKE 
TAHOE.     Head  little  carinate;  body  elongate,  not  much 
compressed;  scales  in  160 — 184  rows.     Streams  of  Cal. 

cc.  Head  comparatively  short  and  blunt ;  hyoid  teeth  rather 
strong;  caudal  leas  forked. 


ADDENDA.  S59 

6.  S.  clark'ri,  Rich.  MISSOURI  TROUT.  COLUMBIA 
RIVER  TROUT.  Head  somewhat  carinate.  All  streams 
from  Rio  Grande  and  Basin  of  Utah  to  Upper  Missouri 
and  Northwestward  to  the  Pacific. 

Var.  clarkii.  Scales  155 — 165.  Streams  of  Oregon 
and  Washington,  chiefly  W.  of  Cascade  Range.  (S. 
stellatus,  Grd.,  S.  brevicauda  and  S.  gibbsii,  Suckley.) 

Var.  aurora,  (Grd.)  Scales  165 — 175.  Streams  chiefly 
E.  of  the  Cascade  Range.  (S.  lewisi  &  S.  mrginalis, 
Grd.,  S.  carinatus,  Cope.) 

3.  CRISTIVOMER,  Gill  &  Jordan.     GREAT  LAKE  TROUTS. 

1.  C.  namaycush,  (Walb.)  G.  &  J.    MACKINAW  TROUT. 
GREAT  LAKE  TROUT.  LOXGE  TOGUE.  (See  text).  Scales  in 
170 — 215  rows.    Lakes,  from  Rocky  Mountains  to  Maine, 
and  northward.     Individuals  from  Eastern  Lakes   vary 
somewhat,  but  can  hardly  be  specifically  distinct.     Their 
scales  average  rather  larger,  the  colors  are  often  darker, 
and  the  gray  spots  sometimes  tinged  with  red.     (S.  con- 
finis,  DeKay,  S.  symmetrica,  Prescott,  S.  toma,  Hamlin, 

S.  adarondacus,  Norris.) 

2.  C.  siscowet,   (Ag.)   G.   &  J.     SISCOWET.      Differs 
from  the  preceding  in  the  great  fatness  of  the  flesh,  and 
in  having  all  the  bones  of  the  head  shortened  and  broad- 
ened; scales  in  175 — 180  rows.     Lake  Superior. 

4.  SALVELIHUS,  Richardson.     CHARRS. 
(  Umbla,  Rapp.     Baione,  DeKay.     Salmo,  Siebold.) 

*  Hyoid  bone  with  a  median  band  of  teeth. 

a.  Body  elongate,  slender,  compressed;  head  quite  small, 
with  mouth  smaller  than  in  any  other  of  our  trouts,  the 
maxillary  not  reaching  to  posterior  margin  of  eye ;  cau- 
dal well  forked ;  adipose  fin  small ;  red  spots  small,  con- 
fined to  the  sides  of  the  body. 


360  ADDENDA. 

1.  5.  oquassa,  (G-rd.)  Gr.  &  J.   RANGELEY  LAKE  TROUT. 
(See  text.) 

aa.  Body  stout;  head  large,  broad  above,  with  large  mouth, 
the  maxillary  reaching  past  eye ;  caudal  little  forked ; 
adipose  fin  very  large ;  red  spots  large,  on  back  as  well 
as  on  sides. 

2.  5.  spectabi//s,  (Grd.)  G.  &  J.     PACIFIC  RED-SPOTTED 
TROUT.     Streams  W.  of  Sierra  Nevada.     (8.  campbelli 
and  S.  parki^  Suckley.) 

**  Hyoid  bone  toothless ;  adipose  fin  small. 
b.  Head  very  large  and  pointed. 

3.  S.    bairdii,  (Suckl.)   G.  &   J.       "DOLLY    VARDEN 
TROUT."     Streams  W.  of  Sierra  Nevada. 

bb.  Head  large ;  rather  bluntish. 

4.  S.  fontinalis,  (Mitch.)  G.  &  J.     COMMON  SPECKLED 
TROUT.     (See  text.).     D.  2,  11;  A.  2,  9.     Scales  in  225 
rows.     Georgia  (Little  Tennessee  River)  to  Lake  Supe- 
rior, Hudson's  Bay,  and  Newfoundland;  entering  the  sea, 
where  it  jDecomes  the   Canadian   "  Salmon   Trout."   (/S. 
hudsonicus   Suckley,  8.  immaculatus  Storer,  S.   cana- 
densis  Smith,  8.  hearnii  Rich.) 

On  page  274: 

Genus  COREGONUS. 

I  am  indebted  to  Prof.  James  W.  Milner  of  the  U.  S. 
Fish  Commission,  for  an  opportunity  to  examine  some  of 
the  manuscript  of  his  forthcoming  review  of  the  Core- 
goni,  and  to  study  a  very  full  series  of  the  specimens  on 
which  the  review  is  based.  For  many  of  the  conclusions 
below  given,  I  am  indebted  to  Prof.  Milner,  but  for  the 
generic  and  specific  diagnoses  and  their  arrangement 
here,  the  present  writer  only  is  responsible.  The  species 
referred  in  the  text  to  Coregonus,  fall  into  four  well- 
marked  groups,  three  of  which  at  least  may  at  present 


ADDENDA.  361 

be  regarded  as  genera,  although  they  are  much  more 
closely  related  than  the  genera  of  Salmons.  These 
genera  or  subgenera  may  be  briefly  defined  as  follows: 

*  Premaxillaries  narrow,  placed  more  or  less  nearly  horizontally, 

the  mandible  elongate,  its  tip  about  even  with  that  of  the 
upper  jaw ;  the  general  outline  of  the  muzzle  therefore  rather 
pointed ;  bones  of  head  generally  elongate.  ABGYKOSOMUS,  1. 
**  Premaxillaries  broad,  placed  vertically  or  turned  inward,  over- 
lapping the  tip  of  the  lower  jaw,  the  general  outline  of  the 
muzzle  therefore  rather  bluntish  or  truncate ;  mandible  and 
bones  of  the  head  generally  shortened. 

\  Supraorbital  elongate ;  preorbital  long  and  narrow;  maxil- 
lary comparatively  long,  reaching  to  pupil ;  the  small  sup- 
plemental bone  ovate  in  form,  rather  broad;  mouth  not 

very  small COREGONUS,  2. 

\\  Siipraorbital  short,  broadly  ovate,  cap-like ;  preorbital  com- 
paratively short  and  broad ;  maxillary  short  and  rather 
broad,  not  reaching  to  the  line  of  the  eye ;  the  small  sup- 
plementary bone  narrow  and  sharply  elliptical ;  mouth 
very  small,  the  snout  more  or  less  produced. 

PROSOPIUM,  3. 

/.  ARGYROSOMUS,  Agassiz.    CISCOES. 

*  Body  short,  deep,  compressed,  shad-like;    the  sides  strongly 

compressed ;  curve  of  the  back  similar  to  that  of  the  belly ; 
scales  large,  notably  larger  forwards,  rather  closely  imbri- 
cated, the  posterior  margin  little  convex.  (Allosomiis,  Jordan.) 
1.  A.   iullibee,  (Rich.)   Ag.       Depth  3  in  length;    at 
posterior  point  of  adipose  fin  equal  to   length  of  can- 
dal  peduncle,  8|-  in  length;  head  4  in  length,  conic  and 
compressed;  eye  4-^  in  head;  maxillary  reaching  nearly 
to  middle  of  eye;  jaws  equal;    tongue  with  a  patch  of 
teeth;  D.  2,  11;  A.  2,  11;  lat.  1.  74,  8  rows  above  it  and 
7  below;  white,  each  scale  with  a  bright  silvery  patch, 
these  forming  very  distinct  silvery  stripes  along  the  rows 
of  scales.      Upper  Great  Lakes  and  N.      A  species  of 
this  type  occurs  also  in  the  eastern  part  of  Lake  Erie. 
16 


362  ADDENDA. 

**  Body  elongate,  subfusiform,  less  compressed ;  dorsal  and  ven- 
tral outlines  dissimilar ;  scales  smaller,  loose  and  uniform, 
posteriorly  more  convex.  (Argyrosomus.) 

2.  A.  nigripinnis,  Gill.    BLACK  FIN.    BLUE  FIN.    (See 
text.) 

3.  A.  artedi,  (Le  Sueur)  Hoy.     COMMON  LAKE  HER- 
RING.    (See  text.) 

4.  A.  hoyl,  Gill.     Cisco  of  Lake  Michigan.     (See  text.) 

2.  COREGONUS,  Linnaeus.      WHITE  FISHES. 

*  Body  elongate ;  tongue  with  evident  teeth. 

1.  C.   labradoricus,    Richardson.       LAKE    WHITING. 
BLACK  Cisco.      Body  elongate,  compressed,  the  depth 
4£  in  length;  head  long  and  slender,  somewhat  pointed, 
4f  in  length;   mouth  moderate,  reaching  front  of  pupil; 
dorsal  high  in  front,  2,  11;  A.  2, 11;  lat.  1,  80—84;  about 
eight  rows  above  and  seven  below;    fins  all  blackish; 
color   rather    dark   bluish,    sides   silvery.      Lakes  from 
Northern  N.  Y.  to  New  Hampshire  and  Labrador.     (C. 
neohantoniensis,  Prescott.) 

**  Body  stout,  becoming  deep  and  elevated  with  age ;  no  teeth. 

2.  C.  clupeiformis,  (Mitchill)  Milner.    COMMON  WHITE 
FISH.     (See  text,  C.  albus.)     (C.  otsego,  Clinton.) 

3.  PROSOPIUM,  Milner.     ROUND  WHITE  FISH. 

1.  P.    quadr/7afera/e,    (Rich.)    Milner.     MENOMONEB 
WHITE  FISH.     (See  text.)     The  Shad- waiter  (C.  novan- 
glide,  Prescott)  of  the  lakes  of  N.   N.   Y.   and  N.  H., 
is  apparently  identical  with  this  species. 

2.  P.  coues/if  Milner.     CHIEF  MOUNTAIN  WHITE  FISH. 

(See  text.)      (For  further  Addenda,  see  page  403.) 


LIST  OF  PAPEES 

OF  WHICH  USE  HAS  BE  EX  MADE  IX  THE  PREPARATION 
OF  THIS  WORK. 


The  following  list  comprises  many  of  the  books  and  memoirs 
which  have  been  found  useful  to  the  author  in  the  preparation  of 
this  work.  It  is  not  designed  to  be  exhaustive,  and  except  in  the 
department  of  Fishes,  it  is  not  at  all  full.  The  recent  elaborate 
works  on  Mammals  and  Birds  render  references  to  earlier  writ- 
ings less  necessary  in  the  study  of  those  animals  than  in  the  study 
of  the  Fishes,  all  the  literature  pertaining  to  the  latter  being,  as 
yet,  more 'or  less  scattering  and  incomplete. 

The  names  of  the  authors  have  been  arranged  in  alphabetical 
order.  Several  of  the  longer  or  more  irrelevant  titles  have  been, 
to  save  space,  shortened  or  otherwise  modified. 

AGASSIZ  (Louis).     Nomenclator  Zoologicus,  1842. 

Lake  Superior,  1850. 
On  a  Collection  of  Fishes  from  the  Southern  bend  of  the 

Tennessee  River  in  Alabama,  1854. 
On  the  Ichthyological  Fauna  (Cyprinidce)  of  the  Pacific 

Slope,  in  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts,  1855. 
Contributions  to  the  Natural  History  of  North  America, 

Part  II,  North  American  Testudinata,  1857. 

ALLEN  (Harrison),  Monograph  of  Bats  of  North  America,  1864. 
ALLEX  (Joel  Asaph),  Mammals  of  Iowa,  1869. 

Mammals  and  Winter  Birds  of  East  Florida,  1870. 

BAIKD  (Spencer  Fullerton)  and  GIRARD  (Charles),  Catalogue  of 

North  American  Reptiles,  Part  I,  Serpents,  1853. 
Mammals  of  N.  A.,  Vol.  VIII,  Pacific  R.  R.  Explorations 

and  Surveys,  1857. 

• Review  of  North  American  Birds  in  Smithsonian  Miscel- 
laneous Contributions,  1864  to  1872. 
BAIRD  (S.  F.),  BREWER  (Thomas  M.),  and  RIDGWAY  (Robert), 

History  of  North  Am.  Birds,  Vols.  I,  II  and  III,  1874. 
(363) 


364  LIST   OF  PAPEBS. 

COPE  (Edward  Drinker),  A  partial  Catalogue  of  the  Cold- 
Blooded  Vertebrata  of  Michigan,  1864-1865. 

Review  of  Plethodontidcs  and  Desmognathidcn,  and  Review 

of  AmblystomidcB)  in  Proceedings  of  the  Philadelphia 
Academy,  1866. 

Cyprinidse  of  Pennsylvania,  1866. 

Synopsis  of  the  genera  Hypsilepis  and  Photogenis,  1867. 

On  Phenacobius,  1867. 

On  the  Fishes  of  the  Allegheny  Region  of  Southwest  Vir- 
ginia, 1868. 

• On  some  Etheostomine  Perch  from  Tennessee  and  North 

Carolina,  1870. 

A  partial  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  North  Carolina,  1870. 

Report  on  Reptiles  and  Fishes,  in  Hayden's  Geological 

Survey  of  Wyoming,  for  1870.  1872. 

Check  List  of  North  Am.  Batrachia  and  Reptilia,  1875. 

COPE  (Edward  Drinker)  and  YARROW  (Henry  C.),  Report  on 
Fishes  in  Lieut.  Wheeler's  Explorations,  1876. 

COUES  (Elliott),  Key  to  North  American  Birds,  1872. 

Check  List  of  Birds,  1873. 

Birds  of  the  Northwest,  1874 

Synopsis  of  the  Muridse  of  North  America,  1875. 

Precursory  Notes  on  N.  Am.  Insectivorous  Mammals,  1877. 

Monograph  of  Fur-bearing  Animals  (Mustelidce),  1877. 

COUES  (Elliott)  and  YARROW  (Henry  C.),  Report  on  Mammals  in 
Lieut.  Wheeler's  Explorations  and  Surveys  west  of  the 
100th  Meridian,  1876. 

COUES  (Elliott)  and  ALLEN  (J.  A.),  Monographs  of  North  Ameri- 
can Rodentia,  1877. 

CUVIER  (George  Christian  Leopold  Dagobert)  and  VALENCIENNES 
(Achille),  Histoire  Naturelle  des  Poissons,  32  vols., 
1828  to  1849. 

DsKAY  (James  E.),  Natural  History  of  New  York— Fishes,  1842. 

DUMERIL  (August),  Histoire  Naturelle  des  Poissons,  2  vols.,  1865 
to  1870. 

GILL  (Theodore  Nicholas),  Numerous  minor  papers  in  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  and 
elsewhere,  1858-1865. 


LIST  OF  PAPERS.  365 

Arrangement  of  the  Families  of  Fishes,  1872. 

Arrangement  of  the  Families  of  Mammals,  1872. 

On  the  genus  Micropterus  (Lac.),  or  Grystes  (Auct),  1873. 

Catalogue  of  the    Fishes  of  the  East  Coast  of  North 

America  in  the  Kept.  U.  S.  Fish    Commissioner  for 

1871-1872.    1873. 
Ichthyology  of  Capt.  Simpson's  Explorations  across  the 

Oreat  Basin  of  Utah,  1876. 
Scientific  names  of  our  Common  Sun  Fishes,  in  Field  and 

Forest,  1877,  p.  188. 
GIRARD  (Charles),  Monograph  of  the  Fresh  Water  Cottoids  of  N. 

A.,  in  Smithsonian  Contributions  to  Knowledge,  1851. 
Researches  upon  Cyprinoid  Fishes  in  Proceedings  of  the 

Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia,  1836. 
Explorations  and  Surveys  for  the  Pacific  R.  R.,  Vol.  X, 

Fishes,  1858. 

Ichthyology  U.  S.  and  Mexican  Boundary  Survey,  1859. 

Ichthyological  Notices,  and  other  papers,  in  the  Proceed- 
ings of  the  Philadelphia  Academy,  1859. 
GRAY  (John  Edward),    Catalogue   of   Lizards    in    the    British 

Museum,  1842. 
GUNTHER  (Albert),  Catalogue  of  Colubrine  Snakes,  1858. 

Catalogue  of  Batrachia  Salientia,  1858. 

Catalogue  of  the  Fishes  of  the  British  Museum,  8  vols., 

1859  to  1870. 
HOLBROOK  (John  Edwards),  North  American  Herpetology. 

Ichthyology  of  South  Carolina,  1860. 

JORDAN  (David  Starr)  and  COPELAND  (Herbert  Edson),  Check  List 

of  the  Fresh  Water  Fishes  of  North  America,  1876. 
JORDAN  (D.  S.),  On  the  Fishes  of  North.  Indiana,  in  Proceedings 

of  the  Academy  of  Nat.  Sciences  of  Philadelphia,  1877. 
A  partial  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  Upper  Georgia,  in 

Annals  of  the  Lyceum  of  Nat.  Hist  of  New  York,  1877. 
Review  of  Rafinesque's  Memoirs  on   Am.  Fresh  Water 

Fishes,  and  Monographs  of  Siluridce,  Catostomidce,  etc., 

in  Bulletins  IX,  X  and  XII  of  the  U.  S.  National 

Museum,  1877-1878. 


366  LIST  OF   PAPERS. 

JORDAN  (D.  S.)  and  BRATTON  (Alembert  Winthrop),  On  the  Dis- 
tribution of  the  Fishes  of  the  Alleghany  region  of  the 
Southern  States,  in  Bulletin  XII  of  the  U.  S.  National 
Museum,  1873. 

JORDAN  (D.  S.)  and  BRAYTON  (A.  W.),  On  Lagochila — a  new  genus 
of  Catostomoid  Fishes,  1877. 

KIRTLAND  (Jared  Potter),  Fishes  of  the  Ohio  River  and  its  Tribu- 
taries, 1838-1845. 

KLIPPART  (John  H.),  First  Annual  Report  Ohio  State  Fish  Com- 
mission (descriptions  by  D.  S.  Jordan  and  Chas.  H. 
Gilbert),  1877. 

LffiSuEUR  (Charles  A.),  Monograph  of  the  genus  Catostomus  and 
numerous  other  papers  in  early  numbers  of  the 
Journal  of  the  Phil.  Academy,  etc.,  1817  to  1825. 

LE  VAILLANT  (Leon),  Recherch.es  sur  les  Poissons  de  1'eau  douce 
de  Nord  Amerique  (EtheostomatidaB),  1874. 

MILNER  (James  N.),  On  species  of  Argyrosomus  and  Coregonus, 
and  on  the  Grayling,  in  the  Rept.U.  S.  Fish  Commis- 
sioner for  1872-1873.  1874. 

NELSON  (Edward  W.),  A  partial  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of 
Illinois,  1876. 

PUTNAM  (Frederick  Ward),  Bulletin  of  the  Museum  of  Compara- 
tive Zoology,  I,  1863. 

The  Mammoth  Cave  and  its  Inhabitants. 

RAFINESQUE  (Constantine  Samuel),  Ichthyologia  Ohiensis,  1820, 
and  numerous  earlier  papers,  1814  to  1820. 

RICHARDSON  (John),  Fauna  Boreali-Arner.  Ill,  Fishes,  1836. 

STORER  (David  Humphreys),  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  North 
America  in  Memoirs  of  the  American  Academy,  1846. 

History  of  the  Fishes  of  Massachusetts,  1867. 

SUCKLEY  (George),  Monograph  of  the  genus  Saline,  1873. 


GLOSSARY 

OP    THE 

PRINCIPAL  TECHNICAL  TERMS 

USED  IN  THIS  WORK.* 


Abdomen — Belly. 

Abdominal — Pertaining  to  the  belly — said  ol  the  ventral  fins  of 
fishes  when  inserted  considerably  behind  the  pectorals,  away 
from  the  shoulder  girdle. 

Abortive — Remaining  or  becoming  imperfect. 

Acuminate — Tapering  gradually  to  a  point. 

Acute — Sharp-pointed. 

Adipose  fin — A  peculiar,  fleshy,  fin-like  projection  on  the  backs 
of  Salmons,  Cat  Fishes,  etc.,  behind  the  dorsal  fin. 

Air  bladder — A  sac  filled  with  air,  lying  beneath  the  back-bone  o£ 
fishes,  corresponding  to  the  lungs  of  the  higher  vertebrates 

Allantois — An  organ  of  the  embryo. 

Altrices — Birds  reared  in  the  nest  and  fed  by  the  parents. 

Altricial — Having  the  nature  of  Altrices. 

Alula — The  feathers  attached  to  the  "  thumb  "  of  a  bird. 

Alveolar  surface— A.  portion  of  the  jaw  of  a  turtle,  where  the 
teeth-sockets  (alveola)  might  be  expected  to  be. 

Amnion — An  organ  of  the  embryo. 

Amphic&lian — Biconcave — said  of  vertebrae. 

Anadromous— Said  of  marine  fishes  which  run  up  rivers  to  spawn. 

Anal — Pertaining  to  the  anus  or  vent. 

Anal  Jin — The  fin  on  the  median  line,  behind  the  vent,  in  fishes. 

Anal  plate— The  plate,  immediately  in  front  of  the  vent,  in  ser- 
pents. 

»  In  the  preparation  of  this  Glossary,  the  author  has  largely  drawn  from 
Dr.  Coues'  "  Glossary  of  the  Technical  Terms  used  in  Descriptive  Ornithology," 
in  Baird.  Brewer  and  Ridgway's  History  of  North  American  Birds,  Vol.  III. 
pp.  535-560. 

(367) 


GLOSSARY. 

Anteorbital  plate — The  plate,  in  front  of  the  eye,  in  serpents. 

Antrorse — Turned  forwards. 

Anus — The  external  opening  of  the  intestines. 

Arterial  bulb — The  muscular  swelling,  at  the  base  of  the  great 

artery,  in  fishes,  etc. 
Articulated— Jointed. 
Artiodactylous — Even-toed  (toes  2  or  4.) 
Attenuate — Long  and  slender,  as  if  drawn  out. 
Auricle — The  large  lobe  of  the  external  ear ;    also,  one  of  the 

chambers  of  the  heart. 
Barbel — An  elongated  fleshy  projection,  usually  about  the  head, 

in  fishes. 

Basal — Pertaining  to  the  base ;  at  or  near  the  base. 
Beak — The  bill  of  birds,  or  (in  other  animals)   any  beak-like 

structure. 

Bend  of  Wing — Angle  at  the  carpus  when  the  wing  is  folded. 
Bicolor — Two-colored. 
Booted — Said  of  the  tarsus,  when  its  scales  coalesce  and  form  a 

continuous  envelope. 

Bronchia — Gills ;  respiratory  organs  of  fishes,  etc. 
Branchial — Pertaining  to  the  gills. 
Branchiostegals — The  bony  rays  supporting  the  branchiostegal 

membranes,  under  the  head  of  a  fish,  below  the  opercular 

bones,  and  behind  the  lower  jaw. 
Bristle — A  stiff  hair,  or  hair-like  feather. 
Caducous — Falling  off  early. 

Calcareous— Containing  or  composed  of  carbonate  of  lime. 
Canines — The  teeth  behind  the  incisors  —  the  "eye-teeth";    in 

fishes,  teeth  in  the  front  part  of  the  jaws,  longer  than  the 

others. 

Carapace — The  upper  part  of  the  shell  of  a  turtle. 
Carinate — Keeled,  having  a  ridge  along  the  middle  line. 
Carpus — The  wrist. 
Caudal — Pertaining  to  the  tail. 
Caudal  pi—ThQ  fin  on  the  tail  of  fishes. 
Caudal  peduncle — The  region  between  the  anal  and  caudal  fins  in 

fishes. 
Cavernous — Containing  cavities,  either  empty  or  filled  with  a. 

mucous  secretion. 


GLOSSAKY.  369 

Cere — Fleshy,  cutaneous  or  membranous  covering  of  the  base  of 
the  bill  in  many  birds,  particularly  the  Owls,  Hawks,  and 
Parrots. 

Cervical — Pertaining  to  the  neck. 

Chiasma — Crossing  of  the  fibres  of  the  optic  nerve. 

Chin — The  space  between  the  forks  of  the  lower  jaw. 

Ciliated — Fringed  with  eye-lash-like  projections. 

Cinereous — Ashy  in  color. 

Clamatorial — Pertaining  to  or  like  the  Clamatores. 

Clavicle — The  collar  bone. 

Ccecal—Of  the  form  of  a  blind  sac. 

Ccecum—Aji  appendage  of  the  form  of  a  blind  sac,  connected  with 
the  alimentary  canal. 

Commissure — The  line  on  which  the  mandibles  of  a  bird  are  closed. 

Compressed — Flattened  laterally. 

Condyle — Articulating  surface  of  a  bone. 

Conirostral — Said  of  a  bill  like  that  of  a  Sparrow;  conical  in 
form  and  with  the  commissure  angulated. 

Costal  folds— Folds  of  the  skin  (of  a  Salamander)  showing  the 
position  of  the  ribs. 

Crest — In  birds,  any  lengthened  feathers  about  the  head;  else- 
where, any  elevated  or  crest-like  projection. 

Crissum — The  under  tail  coverts,  in  birds. 

Ctenoid— Rough-edged,  said  of  scales  when  the  posterior  margin 
is  minutely  spinous  or  pectinated. 

Culmen — The  middle  line  or  ridge  of  the  upper  mandible  in  birds. 

Cuneate— Wedge-shaped ;  said  of  a  bird's  tail  when  the  middle 
feathers  are  longest  and  the  rest  regularly  shorter. 

Cycloid— Smooth-edged ;  said  of  scales  not  ctenoid,  but  concen. 
trically  striate. 

Deciduous — Temporary,  falling  off. 

Decurved — Curved  downward. 

Dentate— With  tooth-like  notches. 

Dentirostral— Having  the  bill  notched  near  its  tip. 

Depressed — Flattened  vertically. 

Depth— Vertical  diameter  (usually  of  the  body  of  fishes.) 

Dermal — Pertaining  to  the  skin. 

Diaphanous — Translucent. 

Digitigrade — Walking  on  the  toes,  like  a  dog. 

Dorsal — Pertaining  to  the  back. 
21 


370  GLOSSARY. 

Dorsal  Jin — The  fin  on  the  back  of  fishes. 

Emarginate — Slightly  forked  or  notched  at  the  tip,  or  sometimes 

abruptly  narrowed  (said  of  quills.) 
Endoskeleton — The  skeleton  proper — the  inner  bony  framework  of 

the  body. 

Epignathous — Having  the  bill  hooked. 
Erectile — Susceptible  of  being  raised  or  erected. 
Emu — (Tail)  having  all  the  feathers  of  equal  length. 
Exoskeleton — Hard  parts  on  the  surface  of  the  body. 
Exserted — Projecting  beyond  the  general  level. 
Facial — Pertaining  to  the  face. 
Falcate — Scythe-shaped ;  long,  narrow,  and  curved. 
Falciform — Curved,  like  a  scythe. 
Fasciated — With  broad  colored  bands. 

Fauna — The  animals  inhabiting  any  region,  taken  collectively. 
Ferrugineous — Rusty  red. 
Fibula — The  small  outer  leg  bone. 
Filament — Any  slender  or  thread-like  structure. 
Filiform— Thread-form. 
Fissirostral — Having  the  bill  very  deeply  cleft,  beyond  the  base  of 

the  horny  part,  as  in  the  Swallows. 
Forehead — Frontal  curve  of  head. 
Foramen — A  hole  or  opening. 
Forficate— Deeply  forked. 

FOSSCB — The  grooves  in  which  the  nostrils  of  many  birds  open. 
Fossorial — Adapted  for  digging. 
Fulcra — Rudimentary  spine-like  scales  extending  up  the  fins  of 

some  fishes. 

Fuliginous— Sooty  or  smoky  brown. 
Furcate — Forked. 
Fuscous — Dark  brown. 
Fusiform — Spindle-shaped ;  tapering  toward  both  ends  but  rather 

more  abruptly  forward. 
Gape — Opening  of  the  mouth. 

Ganoid — Scales  or  plates  of  bone  covered  by  enamel. 
Gastrosteges—  Band-like  plates  along  the  belly  of  a  serpent. 
Gills — Organs  for  breathing  the  air  contained  in  water. 
Gill  openings— Openings  leading  to  or  from  the  branchia3. 
Gill  rakers — A  series  of  structures  like  comb-teeth  in  the  mouth 

of  some  fishes. 


GLOSS  ABY.  871 

Glabrous — Smooth. 

Gonys— The  middle  line  of  the  lower  mandible. 

Gorget — Throat  patch  of  peculiar  feathers. 

Graduated — Said  of  a  bird's  tail  when  the  outer  feathers   are 

regularly  shorter. 

Granulate — Rough  with  small  prominences. 
Gular — Pertaining  to  the  gula,  or  upper  fore-neck. 
Guttate — With  rounded,  drop-shaped  spots. 
Hallux—The  great  toe — in  birds,  the  hind  toe. 
Height — Vertical  diameter — practically  the  same  as  depth. 
Heterocercal — Said  of  the  tail  of  a  fish,  when  unequal — the  back- 
bone evidently  running  into  the  upper  lobe. 
Hirsute — With  shaggy  hairs. 
Homocercal — Said  of  the  tail  of  a  fish  when  not  evidently  unequal ; 

the  back-bone  apparently  stopping  at  the  middle  of  the  base 

of  the  caudal  fin. 

Humerus — Bone  of  the  upper  arm. 
Hyoid— Pertaining  to  the  tongue. 
Hypognatlwus — Having  the  lower  mandible  longer  than  the  upper, 

as  in  the  Black  Skimmer. 

Imbricate — Overlapping,  like  shingles  on  a  roof. 
Imperforate — Not  pierced  through. 
Inarticulate — Not  jointed. 
Incisors — The  front  or  cutting  teeth. 
Interfemoral  membrane — The  membrane  connecting  the  posterior 

limbs  of  a  bat. 
Intermaxillaries — The  bones  between  the  superior  maxillaries, 

forming  the  middle  of  the  front  part  of  the  upper  jaw,  in 

fishes :  the  premaxillaries. 
Jugular — Pertaining  to  the  lower  throat— said  of  the  ventral  fins, 

when  placed  in  advance  of  the  attachment  of  the  pectorals. 
Keeled — See  Carinate. 

Labials — Plates  forming  the  lip  of  a  serpent. 
Lamella — Plate-like  processes  inside  of  the  bill  of  a  duck. 
Lamellate— Said  of  a  bill  provided  with  lamellaB,  as  in  a  duck. 
Lateral — To  or  towards  the  side. 
Lateral  line — A  series  of  muciferous  tubes  forming  a  raised  line 

along  the  sides  of  a  fish. 
Laterally — Sidewise. 
Lobate — Furnished  with  membranous  flaps— said  of  the  toes  of  birds. 


372  GLOSSARY. 

Longitudinal — Running  lengthwise. 

Loral  plate — Plate  between  eye  and  mouth  of  a  serpent. 

Lore — Space  between  eye  and  bill. 

Mailed  clieeks — Having  the  suborbital  bone  extending  over  the 

cheeks,  articulating  with  the  preopercle  (cheeks  not  neces- 
sarily hard  or  bony) ;  said  of  some  fishes. 
Mandible — Under  jaw  (or  in  birds,  either  jaw.) 
Maxilla — Upper  jaw. 
Maxillaries — Outermost  or  hindmost  bones  of  the  upper  jaw,  in 

fishes. 

Metacarpus — The  hand  proper,  exclusive  of  the  fingers. 
Metatarsus — The  foot  proper.    (See  Tarsus.) 
Molars — The  grinding  teeth;  posterior  teeth  in  the  jaw. 
Moniliform — Necklace-shaped — widened  at  regular  intervals. 
Monogamous — Pairing;  said  of  birds. 
Muciferous — Producing  or  containing  mucus. 
Nape — Upper  part  of  neck,  next  to  the  occiput. 
Nasal — Pertaining  to  the  nostrils. 
Neural — Pertaining  to  nerves. 

Nictitating  membrane— The  third  or  inner  eye-lid,  of  birds,  etc. 
Nuchal — Pertaining  to  the  nape  or  nucha. 
Obscure — Dark,  scarcely  visible. 
Obsolete—  Faintly  marked ;  little  evident. 
Obtuse— Blunt. 

Occipital — Pertaining  to  the  occiput. 
Occipital  plates — Plates  on  the  head  of  a  serpent,  behind  the 

vertical  plate. 
Occiput — Back  of  the  head. 
Ocellate — With  eye -like  spots,  generally  roundish  and  with  a 

lighter  border. 
Ocherous — Brownish  yellow. 
Oid  (suffix) — Like — as  Percoid,  perch-like. 
Opercle,  or  operculum — Gill  cover ;  the  posterior  membrane  bone 

of  the  side  of  the  head,  in  fishes. 
Opercular  bones — Membrane  bones  of  the  side  of  the  head,  in 

fishes. 
Opercular  flap — Prolongation  of  the  upper  posterior  angle  of  the 

opercle,  in  Sun -Fishes,  etc. 

Opisthocoslian — Concave  behind ;  said  of  vertebrae. 
Orbicular — Nearly  circular. 


GLOSSARY.  373 

Orbit— Eye  socket. 

Oscine — Musical . 

Oscine  tarsus — By  ellipsis,  tarsus  as  in  oscine  birds ;  *.  «.,  its 
envelope  undivided  behind  and  forming  a  sharp  ridge. 

Oviparous — Producing  eggs  which  are  developed  after  exclusion 
from  the  body,  as  in  all  birds. 

Ovoviviparous — Producing  eggs  which  are  hatched  before  exclu- 
sion, as  in  the  Blind  Fish  and  Garter  Snake. 

Palate— The  roof  of  the  mouth— in  fishes,  a  part  of  the  roof  of  the 
mouth,  lying  behind  the  vomer  and  in  front  of  the  pharyngeals 
(not  to  be  confounded  with  either.) 

Palatines— Bones  of  the  palate. 

Palmate — Web-footed,  having  the  anterior  toes  full-webbed. 

Papilla — A  small,  fleshy  projection. 

Papillose — Covered  with  papillae. 

Paragnathous — Having  the  two  mandibles  about  equal  in  length. 

Pectinate — Having  teeth  like  a  comb. 

Pectoral — Pertaining  to  the  breast. 

Pectoral  fins — The  anterior  or  uppermost  of  the  paired  fins,  in 
fishes,  corresponding  to  the  anterior  limbs  of  the  higher 
Vertebrates. 

Pelage — The  hair  of  a  Mammal,  taken  collectively. 

Pelagic — Living  on  or  in  the  high  seas. 

Perforate — Pierced  through;  said  of  nostrils  when  without  a 
septum. 

Perissodactylous — Odd-toed  (toes  1,  3,  or  5.) 

Peritoneum — The  membrane  lining  the  abdominal  cavity. 

Phalanges — Bones  of  the  fingers  and  toes. 

Pharyngeal  bones — Bones  at  the  beginning  of  the  oesophagus  of 
fishes,  of  various  forms,  almost  always  provided  with  teeth. 

Pharyngognathous — Having  the  lower  pharyngeal  bones  united. 

Pigment — Coloring  matter. 

Plantigrade — Walking  on  the  sole  of  the  foot,  as  do  men  and 
bears. 

Plastron — Lower  shell  of  a  turtle. 

Plicate — Folded ;  showing  transverse  folds  or  wrinkles. 

Plumage—  The  feathers  of  a  bird,  taken  collectively. 

Plumbeous — Lead-colored — dull  bluish  gray. 

Pollex — Thumb ;  in  birds,  the  digit  which  bears  the  alula— corre- 
sponding to  the  index  finger. 


374  GLOSS  ABY. 

Polygamous — Mating  with  more  than  one  female. 

Prcecoces— Birds  able  to  run  about  and  feed  themselves  at  birth. 

Prcecocial — Having  the  nature  of  Prcecoces. 

Premaxillaries — Same  as  intermaxillaries. 

Premolars — The  small  grinders ;   the  teeth  between  the  canines 

and  the  true  molars. 
Preopercle — The  membrane  bone  lying  in  front  of  the  opercle  and 

more  or  less  nearly  parallel  with  it;  the  "false  gill  covers." 
Primary— Any  one  of  the  ten  (often  nine,  rarely  eleven)  of  the 

large,  stiff  quills  growing  upon  the  pinion  or  hand-bone  of  a 

bird,  as  distinguished  from  the  secondaries,  which  grow  upon 

the  fore  arm. 
Primary  Wing  Coverts — The  coverts  overlying  the  bases  of  the 

primaries. 

Projectile — Capable  of  being  thrust  forward. 
Protractile — Capable  of  being  thrust  forward. 
Pulmonary — Pertaining  to  the  lungs. 
Punctate — Dotted  with  points. 
Pyloric  cceca — Glandular  appendages  in  the  form  of  blind  sacs 

opening  into  the  alimentary  canal  of  many  fishes  at  the 

pylorus  or  passage  from  the  stomach  to  the  intestine. 
Quadrate— Nearly  square. 

Quadrilocular — Four-chambered—said  of  the  heart. 
Quill— One  of  the  stiff  feathers  of  the  wing  or  tail  of  a  bird. 

Quincunx — Set  of  five  arranged  alternately,  thus    * 

Radius — Outer  bone  of  fore  arm. 

Ray — One  of  the  cartilaginous  rods  which  support  the  membrane 

of  the  fin  of  a  fish. 

Rectrices— Quills  of  the  tail  of  a  bird. 
Recurved— Curved  upward. 
Remiges— Quills  of  the  wing  of  a  bird. 
Reticulate — Marked  with  a  network  of  lines. 
Retractile — Susceptible  of  being  drawn  inward,  as  a  cat's  claw. 
Retr vr :se— -Directed  backward. 
Rictal — Pertaining  to  the  rictus,  as  rictal  bristles. 
Rictus — Gape  of  the  mouth. 
Rostral — Pertaining  to  the  snout,  as  rostral  plate. 
Rudimentary— Undeveloped. 


GLOSSARY.  875 

Muff— A.  series  of  modified  feathers. 

Scansorial—  Capable  of  climbing. 

Scansorial  tail— Tail  feathers  sharp  and  stiff,  as  in  the  scansorial 

birds  (Woodpeckers). 
Scapula— Shoulder  blade. 
Scutellate— Provided  with  scutella  ;  said  of  the  tarsus  when 

covered  with  broad  plates  in  a  regular  vertical  series,  and 

separated  by  regular  lines  of  impression. 
Scutellum—Oue  of  the  tarsal  plates  or  scutella. 
Secondaries — The  quills  growing  on  the  fore  arm. 
Second  dorsal— The  posterior  or  soft  part  of  the  dorsal  fin,  when 

the  two  parts  are  distinctly  separated. 
Sectorial  tooth — One  of  the  premolars  of  carnivora,  adapted  for 

cutting. 
Semipalmate — Half- webbed ;  having  the  anterior  toes  more  or  less 

connected  at  base  by  a  webbing  which  does  not  extend  to  the 

claws. 

Septum — A  thin  partition. 
Serrate — Notched,  like  a  saw. 
Sessile — Without  a  stem  or  peduncle. 
Setaceous— Bristly. 
Shoulder  girdle— The  bony  girdle  posterior  to  the  head,  in  fishes, 

etc.,  to  which  the  anterior  limbs  are  attached. 
Soft  dorsal — The  posterior  part  of  the  dorsal  fin  in  fishes,  when 

composed  of  soft  rays. 

Soft  rays — Fin -rays  which  are  branching  and  articulate. 
Spine — Any  sharp  projecting  point;    in  fishes,   those   fin -rays 

which  are  unbranched,  inarticulate,  and  usually  more  or  less 

stiffened. 

Spinous— Stiff,  or  composed  of  spines. 
Spinous  dorsal— The   anterior  part  of  the  dorsal   fin  in  fishes, 

when  composed  of  spinous  rays. 
Spiracles — Openings   in  the  head  or  neck  of  some   fishes  and 

Batrachians. 

Spurious— Said  of  the  first  primary  when  less  than  about  one- 
third  the  length  of  the  second.    (The  student  will  notice  that 

in  Oscines  the  presence  of  a  short  or  spurious  quill  indicates 

ten  primaries ;  its  absence,  nine.) 
Sternum — The  breast  bone. 
Striate — Striped  or  streaked. 


376  GLOSSARY. 

Sub  (in  composition)  —  Less  than ;  somewhat ;  not  quite ;  under, 
etc. 

Suffrage — Heel  joint;  tibio — tarsal  joint. 

Sub-caudal — Under  the  tail. 

Sub-opercle—The  bone  immediately  below  the  opercle. 

Sub-orbital— Below  the  eye. 

Subulate — Awl-shaped. 

Superciliary — Pertaining  to  the  region  of  the  eyebrow. 

Supra-orbital — Above  the  eye. 

Syndactyle — Having  two  toes  immovably  united  for  some  distance 
— as  in  the  Kingfisher. 

Synonym — A  different  word  having  the  same  or  a  similar  meaning. 

Tail — In  mammals,  the  vertebrae,  etc.,  posterior  to  the  sacrum ;  in 
birds,  the  tail-feathers  or  rectrices,  taken  collectively ;  in  ser- 
pents, the  part  of  the  body  posterior  to  the  vent ;  in  fishes 
(usually),  the  part  of  the  body  posterior  to  the  anal  fin. 
(Everywhere  used  more  or  less  vaguely.) 

Tail  Coverts — The  small  feathers  overlapping  the  bases  of  the 
rectrices. 

Tarso-metatarsus — The  correct  name  for  the  so-called  tarsus  of 
birds ;  the  bone  reaching  from  the  tibia  to  the  toes,  composed 
chiefly  of  the  metatarsus,  but  having  at  its  top  one  of  the 
small  tarsal  bones  confluent  with  it. 

Tarsus — The  ankle-bones  collectively;  in  birds,  commonly  used 
for  the  shank-bone,  lying  between  the  tibia  and  the  toes,  the 
tarso-metatarsus. 

Tectrices — The  wing  and  tail  coverts. 

Temporal — Pertaining  to  the  region  of  the  temples. 

Tenuirostral — Slender-billed. 

Terete — Cylindrical  and  tapering. 

Terminal — At  the  end. 

Tertials — The  quills  attached  to  the  humerus. 

Tessellated — Marked  with  little  checks  or  squares,  like  mosaic 
work. 

Thoracic — Pertaining  to  the  chest ;  ventral  fins  are  thoracic  when 
attached  immediately  below  the  pectorals,  as  in  the  perch. 

Tibia— Shin-bone ;  inner  bone  of  leg  between  knee  and  heel. 

Tomium— Cutting  edge  of  the  bill. 

Totipalmate— Having  all  four  toes  connected  by  webbing. 

Tragua — The  inner  lobe  of  the  ear ;  the  lobe  opposite  the  auricle. 


GLOSSABY.  377 

Transverse — Crosswise. 

Trenchant — Compressed  to  a  sharp  edge. 

Truncate — Abrupt,  as  if  cut  squarely  off. 

Tubercle — A  small  excrescence,  like  a  pimple. 

Tympanum — Drum  of  the  ear ;  external  in  some  Batrachia. 

Typical — Of  a  structure  the  most  usual  in  a  given  group. 

Ulna — The  inner  or  posterior  bone  of  the  fore-arm. 

Ungulate — Provided  with  hoofs. 

Unguiculate — Provided  with  claws. 

Unicolor — Of  a  single  color. 

Urosteges— The  plates  underneath  the  tail  of  a  serpent. 

Vent — The  external  opening  ot  the  alimentary  canal. 

Ventral — Pertaining  to  the  abdomen. 

Ventral  fins — The  paired  fins  behind  or  below  the  pectoral  fins 

in  fishes,  corresponding  to  the  posterior  limbs  in  die  higher 

vertebrates. 

Ventral  plates— Gastrosteges  in  serpents. 
Ventricle—  One  of  the  chambers  of  the  heart. 
Versatile — Capable  of  being  turned  either  way. 
Vertebra— One  of  the  bones  of  the  spine. 
Vertical — Up  and  down. 
Vertical  fins — The  fins  on  the  median  line  of  the  body;  the  dorsal, 

anal  and  caudal  fins. 

Vertical  plate— Central  plate  on  the  head  of  a  serpent. 
Villiform— Said  of  the  teeth  of  fishes  when  slender  and  crowded 

into  velvety  bands. 
Viscous — Slimy;  viscid. 
Vitta — A  band  of  color. 
Viviparous — Bringing  forth  living  young. 
Vomer—In  fishes,  the  front  part  of  the  roof  of  the  mouth ;  a  bone 

lying  immediately  behind  the  premaxillaries. 
Web— The  vane  of  a  feather,  on  either  side  of  the  rhachis  or 

"  stem  " ;  also,  the  membrane  connecting  the  toes. 
Zygodactyle—  Yoke-toed;  having  the  toes  in  pairs  — two  in  front, 

two  behind. 
Zygoma — The  malar  or  cheek  bone. 


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GLOSSAET 


SPECIFIC    NAMES. 


The  following  Glossary  includes  all  the  Specific  Names  men- 
tioned in  this  work,  with  the  exception  of  words  formed  from 
names  of  persons,  and  of  a  few  words  whose  meaning  I  have  been 
unable  to  ascertain.  They  are  all  of  Latin  origin  unless  other- 
wise specified : 


abacurus:  Gr.  checkered  tall. 

acadiacus:  Acadian. 

achigan:  a  Canadian  French  name 
for  the  bass. 

acutus:  acute. 

adamantlnus:  like  a  diamond. 

aedon:  Gr.  aiiightingale. 

selurus:  Gr.  a  cat. 

seneus:  brassy,  or  coppery. 

aepypterus:  Gr.  high-finued. 

aesopus:  Gr.   different-footed. 

sestivalis:  pertaining  to  summer. 

sestivus:  summer. 

affinis:  akin  to. 

agilis:  agile. 

agrestis:  living  in  fields. 

albeolus:  whitish. 

albicollis:  white-throated. 

albidus:  whitish. 

albifrons:  white-fronted. 

albus:  white. 

alcyon:  halcyon— a  sea-bird— during 
whose  nesting  there  is  always  a 
calm. 

alexaudrinus:  Alexandrian  (Egypt- 
ian). 

alleghaniensis:  Alleghanian. 

alpestris:  alpine. 

alpinus:  alpine. 

altus:  high  or  deep. 

amabilis:  amiable. 

amarus:  bitter  (salt  water). 

americanus:  American. 


amoenus:  pleasing. 

anagallinus:  color  of  Scarlet  Pimper- 
nel. 

analostanus:  Analostan  Island. 

anglicus:  English. 

anisurus:  Gr.  tail  unequal. 

annularis:  ringed. 

anomalus:  anomalous. 

anthracinus:  coal-black. 

antillarum:  living  in  the  Antilles. 

appendix:  an  appendage. 

aquaticus:  aquatic. 

arcticus:  arctic. 

arctos  :  Gr.  a  bear. 

ardens:  burning. 

ardesiacus:  glittering. 

arenarius:  living  in  sand, 

arge:  Gr.  sluggish. 

argentatus:  s  Ivered. 

argenteus:  silvery. 

argyritis:  silvery. 

ariommus:  Gr.  big-eyed. 

artedi:  to  Peter  Artedi,  "the  father 
of  Ichthyology." 

asio:  a  horned  owl. 

asper:  rough. 

aspro:  a  genus  of  European  Percolds. 

ater:  black. 

atrarius:  blackish. 

atratus:  blackened. 

atricapillus:  black-capped. 

atricillus:  blackish. 

atripinnis:  black-finned. 


(379) 


380 


GLOSSARY  OF    SPECIFIC  NAMES. 


atrofuscus:  blackish-brown. 

atromaculatus:  black-spotted. 

atronasus:  black- nosed. 

aura:  pertaining  to  air. 

aurantiacus:  orange. 

auratus:  golden. 

aureolus:  gilded. 

aurevs:  golden. 

auricapillus:  golden-crowned. 

auritus:  long-eared. 

aurora:  sunrise. 

austerus:  austere. 

baltimore  :   to    Lord    Baltimore,  in 

sportive  allusion  to  his  black  coat 

and  scarlet  vest. 
bernlcla:   a  barnacle-goose, 
bicolor;  two-colored, 
bifrenatus  :   two- bridled    (stripe 

through  snout), 
biguttatus :  two-spotted, 
bilineatus:  two-lined, 
bimaculatus:  two-spotted 
bison;  a  buffalo, 
blennioides:  blenny-like. 
blennioperca;  blenny-perch. 
boleoides:  darter-like, 
borealis:  northern, 
boreus:  northern, 
bosclias:  a  kind  ot  duck, 
bostoniensis:  Bostonian. 
brachyotus:  Gr.  short-eared, 
branta;  brant, 
brevicauda:  short-tailed, 
breviceps:  short-headed, 
brevirostris:  short-billed, 
brosmianus:  likeacusk. 
brunneus:  brown, 
bubalinus:  buffalo-like, 
bubalus:  buffalo, 
buccatus:  big- jawed, 
buccinator:  trumpeter, 
bucco:  big-cheeked, 
bullaris:  bubbling, 
bursarius:  purse-bearing, 
cseruleus:  blue, 
cserulescens:  bluish, 
californicus:  Californian. 
calligaster:  Gr.  beautiful  belly, 
callipteryx:  Gr.  beautiful-finned. 
calendulus:  a  little  lamp, 
calvus:  bald, 
camurus:  decurved. 
canadensis:  Canadian. 
candidissimus:  most  white. 


caninus:  dog-like, 
canis:  a  dog. 

cantabrigensis:  from  Cambridge, 
cantiacus:  Kentish, 
canutus:  hoary, 
caprodes:  Gr.  like  a  pig. 
carbo:  coal-black. 
carib39us:  Caribbean, 
caribou:  French  Canadian  name, 
carinatus:  keeled, 
carnivorus:  carnivorous, 
carollnensis:  Carolinian, 
carolinus:  Carolinian, 
carpio:  a  carp, 
caspius:  Caspian, 
castaneus:  chestnut-colored, 
cataractse:  from  Niagara  Falls, 
cataractus:  a  cataract, 
catenatus :  with  chain-like  lines, 
catulus   a  kitten, 
catus:  a  cat 

caudacutus:  sharp-tailed, 
caudafurcatus :  fork-tailed, 
caudatus :  long-tailed, 
cavifrons:  having  the  front  concave, 
cayuga:  Cayuga  Lake, 
cedrorum:  living  among  cedars, 
celatus:  concealed, 
cephalus:  Gr.  big-headed, 
cervinus:  tawny,  like  a  deer, 
chaetodon:  a  marine  genus, 
chalybseus:  steel-colored, 
charybdis:  a  somewhat  noted  whirl- 
pool. 

chrysaetus:  Gr.  golden  eagle, 
chrysocephalus:  Gr.  golden -headed, 
chrysochloris:  Gr.  golden-green, 
chrysoleucus:  Gr.  golden-white, 
chrysops:  Gr.  golden-eyed, 
chrysopsis:  Gr.  golden  appearance, 
chrysopterus:   Gr.  golden-winged, 
cinereoargentatus:  silver-gray, 
cinereus:  ashy-gray, 
circulosus:  with  circles  or  rings, 
ciris:  a  water-bird  of  some  kind, 
citraeus:  citron-yellow, 
clamitans:  screaming, 
clangula:  a  sharp  bird's  scream, 
clausus:  closed. 

clupeif  ormis :  herring  or  shad-shaped, 
clypeata:  shielded, 
coccogenis:  Gr.  scarlet-cheeked, 
coenosus:  muddy, 
collapsus:  slab-sided, 


GLOSSARY  OF   SPECIFIC   NAMES. 


381 


collaris:  collared. 

colubris:  pertaining  to  a  snake. 

columbarius:  pertaining  to  a  dove. 

columbianus:  Columbian. 

communis:  common. 

compressus:  compressed. 

concinnus:  handsome. 

concolor:  one-colored. 

confinis:  confined  (in  its  range). 

conspersus:  bespattered. 

constrictor:  one  that  hugs. 

contortrix-  contorted. 

conus:  a  cone. 

corax:  a  raven. 

coregonus:  a  white-fish. 

cornutus:  horned. 

coronatus:  crowned. 

corporalis:  big-bodied. 

crassilabris:  thick-lipped. 

crepitans:  screaming. 

crepuscularis:  pertaining  to  twilight. 

crinitus:  long-haired. 

cristatus:  crested. 

cucullatus:  hooded. 

cunicularius  :   pertaining  to  a  cony 

(prairie  dog), 
cupido:  Cupid, 
cupreus:  coppery, 
curvirostra;  curved-billed, 
cutisanserinus:  goose-skinned, 
cyanellus:  Gr.  bluish, 
cyaneus:  Gr.  blue, 
cyanocephalus:  Gr.  blue-headed, 
cyanonoton:  Gr.  blue-backed, 
cyclotis:  Gr.  rounded, 
cymatogrammus:  Gr.  wavy-lined. 
cypho:  huaipback. 
cyprinella:  a  small  carp, 
cyprinus:  a  carp, 
delawarensis:  Delaware, 
dlaphanus:  transparent, 
difformis:  deformed, 
dilectus:  delightful, 
dilophus:  Gr.  two-crested, 
dinemus:  Gr.  two-threaded  (a  lateral 

line  and  a  lateral  streak), 
diplsemius:  Gr.  doubly-bloody, 
discolor:  two-colored, 
discors:  discordant, 
dispar:  dissimilar, 
dissimilis:  dissimilar, 
doliatus:  sorrowful, 
domesticus:  domestic, 
dominicus:  from  San  Domingo. 


dorsalis:  dorsal. 

dorsatus:  pertaining  to  the  back. 

dubius:  dubious. 

duquesnii  :    from     Fort    DuQuetne 

(Pittsburg). 
durissus:  hard, 
eburneus:  ivory. 
effulgens:  shining. 
egretta:  Italian— an  Egret, 
elapsoidea:  like  Elaps. 
elegans:  elegant, 
eleutherus:  Gr.  free, 
ellipticus:  ellipticaL 
elongatus:  elongate, 
enucleator:  one  who  takes  the  seed 

from  the  husk, 
eos:  Gr.  color  of  sunrise, 
erebennus:  Gr.  jet-black, 
eriarchus:  Gr.  with  a  large  anal  fin. 
ermineus:  ermine, 
erythrocephalus:  Gr.  red-headed, 
erythrogaster:  Gr.  red-bellied, 
erythrogrammus:  Gr.  red- lined, 
erythronotus:  Gr.  red-backed, 
erythrophthalmus:  Gr.  red-eyed, 
erythrurus:  Gr.  red-tailed, 
estor:  devour er. 
euryops:  Gr.  wide-faced, 
evides:  Gr.  comely, 
excubitoroides  :     like    ercubitor  —  a 

sentinel. 

exilipes:  slender-footed, 
exilis:  slender, 
eximius:  excellent, 
falcinellus:  /ate— a  scythe, 
fallax:  deceptive, 
familiaris:  familiar, 
fasciatus:  banded, 
ferinus:  wild, 
ferox:  ferocious, 
ferrugineus:  rust-colored, 
fiber:  a  beaver. 
•Sissipes:  cloven-footed, 
flabellaris:  fan-shaped, 
flabellatus:  fan-shaped, 
flammeus:  flame-colored, 
flavescens:  yellowish, 
^avifrons:  yellow-fronted, 
flavipes:  yellow-footed, 
flavirostris  :  yellow-billed, 
flaviventris:  yellow-bellied, 
flavus:  yellow, 
fioridanus:  Floridian. 
fluviatilis:  living  in  rivers. 


382 


GLOSSARY  OF   SPECIFIC  NAMES. 


folium:  a  leaf. 

foutinalis:  living  in  fountains. 

forficatus:  deeply  forked. 

formosus:  comely. 

fretensis:  inhabiting  straits  (Detroit 

River). 

frontalis:  forehead  prominent, 
frugivorus:  eating  fruits, 
fulicarius:  like  a  coot, 
fulvus:  reddish-yellow, 
funduloides:  like  Fundulus. 
furcatus:  forked, 
f  uscescens :     somewhat    dusky    or 

tawny, 

fuscicollis:  dusky-throated, 
fuscus:  dusky, 
fusiformis:  fusiform, 
galacturus:  Gr.  milky-tailed, 
galeatus:  hel meted, 
gallopavo:  Gallus:  a  cock;  Pavo:  a 

peacock. 

garrulus:  garrulous, 
gavialis:  like  a  crocodile, 
geographicus :  map-like, 
georgianus:  Georgian, 
gibber:  gibbous, 
gibbosus:  with  rounded  outlines, 
gilvus:  pale  yellow, 
glacialis:  icy. 
gladius:  a  sword, 
glaucus:  glaucous, 
glutinosus:  viscid, 
gobioides:  goby-like, 
gobioninus:  gudgeon-like, 
gorbuscha:  a  Kamtschatkan  name, 
gracilis:  slender, 
grammacus:  Gr.  striped, 
gramineus:  pertaining  to  grass, 
griseus:  gray, 
grunniens:  grunting, 
gryllus:  a  cricket, 
gulosus:  big-mouthed, 
guttatus:  with  drop  like  spots, 
gyrfalco:  agyr-falcon. 
gyrinus:  Gr.  a  tadpole, 
haematurus:  Gr.  bloody-tailed, 
halecinus:  halec— a  shad  (appears  in 

shad-run  season), 
haliaetus:  Gr.  a  sea-eagle, 
harengus:  a  herring, 
helveticus:  Swiss, 
herodias:  Gr.  a  heron, 
heros:  a  genus  of  Cichlidae. 
heteroclitus:  Gr.  different  slope. 


heterodon:  Gr.  teeth  otherwise, 
heterurus:  Gr.  tail  uneven, 
hexacanthus:  Gr.  six-spined. 
hieroglyphicus :    Gr.    marked     wit  a 

crow-tracks. 

himantopus:  Gr.  crook-shanks, 
hirudo:  a  leech, 
hirundo:  a  swallow, 
horiconensis:  from  Lake  George, 
horreorum:  inhabiting  barns, 
horribilis:  horrible, 
horridus:  horrid, 
hudsonicus  :   from   Hudson's  Bay  or 

River. 

hudsonius:  Hudsonian. 
humeralis:  a  spot  on  the  shoulder, 
humilis:  humble, 
huronensis:  Lake  Huron, 
hyalinus:  transparent, 
hybridus:  hybrid, 
hyemalis:  wintery. 
hyperboreus:  Gr.  far-northern, 
hypogseus:  Gr.  underground, 
ichtheloides:  like  a  surifish. 
icterocephalus:  Gr.  oriole-headed, 
iliacus:  Trojan  (why?), 
immaculatus:  unspotted, 
incisor:  one  that  cuts, 
mconstans:  inconstant, 
ingens:  prodigious, 
inornatus:  not  ornamented, 
inscriptus:  inscribed, 
insculptus:  sculptured, 
insignis:  insignificant. 
Insociabilis:  unsociable, 
intermedius:  intermediate, 
interpres:  an  interpreter, 
interruptus:  interrupted, 
irideus:  rainbow-colored, 
ischanus:  Gr.  thin, 
ischyrus:  Gr.  stout, 
islandicus:  Iceland, 
isolepis:  Gr.  equal -scaled, 
jaculus:  something  thrown, 
jamaicensis:  Jamaican, 
kentuckiensis:  Kentuckian. 
keta:  a  Kamtschatkan  name, 
labrddorius:  Labradorian. 
labradoricus:  Labradorian. 
lacertinus:  lizard-like, 
lacertosus:  lizard-like, 
lacerus:  torn. 

lachrymalis:  pertaining  to  tears, 
lacustrig:  living  in  lakes. 


GLOSSARY   OF   SPECIFIC  NAMES. 


S83 


laevis:  smooth. 

lagopus:  Gr.  rough-footed,  like  a  rab- 
bit. 

lapponicus:  pertaining  to  Lapland. 

larifoimis:  shape  of  a  gull. 

lateralis:  pertaining  to  the  side. 

latior:  broader. 

latrans:  barking. 

leberis:  thick-skinned. 

lemniscatus:  adorned  with  ribbons. 

leptacanthus:  Gr.  slender-spined. 

leuciodus:  Gr.  whitened. 

leucobronchialis:  Gr.  white-throated. 

leucocephalus:  Gr.  white-headed. 

leucophrys:  Gr.  white-crowned. 

leucops:  Gr.  white-eyed. 

leucopsis:  Gr.  white-faced. 

leucopterus:  Gr.  white-finned. 

leucopus:  Gr.  white-footed. 

leucurus:  Gr.  white- tailed. 

limi :  pertaining  to  mud. 

limosus:  muddy. 

lineatus:  lined  (with  narrow  stripes). 

lineolatus:  finely-lined. 

liosternus:  Gr.  smooth-breasted. 

lirus:  Gr.  lily-white. 

lividus:  livid. 

livius:  dove-colored. 

loculator:  a  big-talker. 

longicaudus;  long-tailed. 

longiceps:  long-headed. 

longirostiis:  long-snouted. 

longirostrum:  lo.ig-snout. 

lophius:  the  fishing  frog. 

lotor  :  one  who  washes  (from  the 
raccoon's  habit  of  washing  his  paws 
and  everything  else  in  reach). 

louisianensis :  Louisianian. 

lucidus:  shining. 

lucifugus:  shunning  the  light. 

lucioides:  like  a  pike. 

lucius:  a  pike. 

ludovicianus:  Louisianian. 

lunatus:  crescent-shaped. 

lunifrons:  crescent  forehead. 

lupus:  a  wolf. 

luscus:  one-eyed  (from  the  condition 
of  Linnaeus'  unfortunate  specimen). 

lycaodon:  Gr.  wolf -toothed. 

lynx:  a  wild-cat. 

lythrochloris:  Gr.  bloody-green. 

macrocephalus:  Gr.  long-headed. 

macrochirus:  Gr.  long-armed. 

macrolepidotus:  Gr.  large-scaled. 


macropterus:  Gr.  large-flnned. 

macrotis:  G.  large- eared. 

macrurus:  Gr.  long-tailed. 

macularius:  spotty. 

maculaticeps:  spotted- beaded. 

inaculatus;  spotted. 

maculosus:  spotted. 

magnus;  large. 

mainensis:  Maine. 

majalis:  pertaining  to  May. 

manitou:  Lake  Manitou. 

margaritus:  pearly. 

margar  tis:  Gr.  pearly-eared. 

marginatus:  margined, 

marinus:  marine. 

maritimus:  maritime. 

marmoratus:  marbled. 

martes:  a  marten. 

martinicus:  from  Martinique. 

maxillilingua:  jaw-'.ungue. 

means:  moving. 

megalotis:  Gr.  big-eared. 

melanoleucus:  Gr.  black  and  white. 

melanops:  Gr.  black-eyed  or  faced. 

melanostictus:  Gr.  black  spotted. 

melas:  Gr.  black. 

meleagris:  a  fowl. 

melodius:  melodious. 

melodus:  melodious. 

menona:  Lake  Meiiona. 

mephiticus:  ill-scented. 

merganser:  diving-goose. 

meritlionalis:  southern. 

mesotrema:  Gr.  vent  intermediate. 

mexicanus:  Mexican. 

michiganensis:  Michigan. 

micropteryx:  Gr.  small-finned. 

microstomus:  Gr.  small-mouthed. 

migratorius:  migratory. 

niiniatus:  vermilion  color. 

mi  limus:  smallest. 

mineopas:  Lake  Minneopa,  Minn. 

minor:  smaller. 

minutillus:  minute. 

mississippiensis :  Mississippian. 

missuriensis  :  Missourian. 

mitratus:  mitred. 

miurus:  Gr.  curtailed;  notched. 

molestus:  uneasy. 

mollissimus:  softest. 

monachus:  solitary. 

monax:  a  hermit. 

montanus:  pertaining  to  mountains. 

monticolus:  living  in  the  mountains. 


384 


GLOSSARY  OF  SPECIFIC  NAMES. 


mordax:  biting;  snapping. 

motacilla:  wag-tail. 

mucronatus  :   abruptly    and  sharply 

pointed. 

mugitaus:  mooing,  like  a  cow. 
multifasciatus  :     many  -  banded     or 

striped. 

multilineatus:  many-lined, 
musculus:  a  little  mouse, 
mustelinus:  color  of  a  weasel  (foxy 

red). 

muticus:  unarmed. 
mevhis:  with  small  spots, 
namaycush:  Indian  name, 
nasutus:  long-nosed, 
natalis:  with  a  projecting  rump, 
nelmlosus:  cloudy, 
neglectus:  neglected, 
neoggeus:  Gr.  New  World, 
neohantoniensis:    New  Hampshire, 
nephelus:  Gr.  clouded, 
nerka:  a  Kamtschatkan  name, 
niger:  black, 
nigricans:  blackish, 
nigricollis:  black-throated, 
nigrilabris:  black-lipped, 
nigripinnis:  black-finned. 
nigrofasciatus:  black-barred, 
nigromaculatus:  black-spotted, 
nitidus:  shining. 
nival  is:  snowy, 
niveiventris:  white-bellied, 
niveus:  snow-white, 
nobilis:  noble, 
nobilior:  nobler, 
noctivagans:  wandering  at  night. 
notatus:  known  (as  by  a  spot,  hence 

spotted). 

novaeangliae;  New  England, 
noveboracensis:  New  York, 
nuchalis:  pertaining  to  the  nape, 
nummifer:  money  -  bearing    (nickel 

color), 
obesus:  fat. 
oblongus:  oblong, 
obscurus:  dusky, 
obsoletus:  obsolete, 
obtusus:  obtuse, 
occideutalis:  western, 
occipitomaculatus  :    back    of    head 

spotted. 

ocellicaudus:  ocellate  spots  on  tail, 
ochrophaeus:  Gr.dark  orange-brown. 
oc u la t us :  with  eye  - like  spot . 


odoratus:  odorous. 

olivaceus:  olivaceous. 

olivaris:  olivaceous. 

omiscomaycus:  an  Indian  name  fora 

Smolt. 

opacus:  opaque, 
oquassa:  Lake  Oquassa. 
ordinatus:  in  rows  (spots), 
oregonensis:  Oregonian. 
oregouus:  Oregonian. 
ornatus:  ornamented, 
oryzivorus:  rice-eating, 
osculus:  small-mouthed, 
osmeriiius:  like  a  smelt, 
osseus:  bony. 

ossifragus:  bone-breaking, 
otsego:  LakeOtsego. 
oxyurus:  Gr.  sharp-tailed, 
palmarum:  living  among  palm  trees, 
palliatus:  cloaked, 
pallidus:  pale. 

palumbarius:  pertaining  to  pigeons, 
palustris:  living  among  swamps, 
papillosus:  papillose, 
paradisea:  of  paradise, 
parasiticus:  parasitic, 
parietalis:  pertaining  to  the  sides, 
parvus:  small, 
passerinus:  sparrow-like, 
paucidens:  few-toothed, 
pecoris:  pertaining  to  cattle, 
pelagicus:  oceanic, 
pellucidus:  pellucid, 
peltastes:  Gr.  large-scaled, 
peltatus:  shielded, 
penelope-  a  widgeon;  also  the  wife  of 

Ulysses. 

pennsylvanicus :  Pennsylvauian. 
peregrinus:  wandering, 
perspicillatus:  transparent, 
phaenna:  translucent, 
phasianellus:  a  little  pheasant, 
phenax:  Gr.  deceptive. 
Philadelphia:  Gr.  brotherly  love, 
philadelphica:  Philadelphian. 
phoeniceus:  crimson, 
photogenis:  Gr.  born  of  light, 
phoxocephalus:  Gr.  tapering-headed, 
pictus:  painted, 
pidiensis:  Great  Pedee  River, 
pileatus:  capped;  crested, 
pilosus:  with  thin  hairs, 
pinetorum:  living  among  pines, 
piuniger:  large-finued. 


GLOSSARY  OF  SPECIFIC   NAMES. 


385 


pinus:  pine  tree, 
pipiens:  chirping  :  piping, 
piscivorus:  fish-eating, 
pisculentus:  fishy, 
plagiatus:  thievish, 
plargyrus:  Gr.  silver-sided, 
platycephalus:  Gr.  flat-headed, 
platyrhinus:  Gr.  flaf- nosed, 
platyrhynchus:  Gr.  flat-nosed, 
platystomus:  Gr.  flat-mouthed, 
plumbeolus:  lead-colored, 
pcecilura:  Gr.  tail  variegated, 
polyglottus:  many- voiced, 
pomatorhinus:  Gr.  snout  operculate. 
podiceps:  a  grebe, 
pomotis:  a  sun  fish, 
porosus:  porous, 
porphyriticus:  purplish, 
portlandicus:  pertaining  to  Portland, 
praestabilis:  standing  first, 
pratiucola:  living  in  meadows, 
princeps:  princely, 
principalis:  princely, 
procne:  Gr.  a  swallow, 
productus:  produced, 
promelas:  Gr.  black  forwards, 
proriger:  having  a  prow, 
prosthemius:  added, 
protacanthus  :    Gr.    anterior     spine 

large. 

proteus:  of  many  shapes, 
proximus:  near, 
pruinosus  :  frosty, 
pseudogeographicus  :   not  quite  geo- 

graphicus. 

pseudoharengus:  not  quite  a  herring, 
pubescens:  pubescent, 
pugnax:  quarrelsome, 
pulchellus:  pretty, 
pull  us:  dusky, 
punctatus:  dotted, 
puuctulatus:  finely  dotted. 
purpureus:  purple, 
pusillus:  weak, 
putorius:  ill-scented, 
pygmaeus:  pigmy, 
quadracus:  four-spined. 
quadrilateralis:  four-sided, 
quadrivittatus:  four-striped 
querulus:  querulous, 
quiescens:  quiescent, 
quinnat:  an  Indian  name  for  the  sal- 
mon, meaning  glittering. 
radix:  Root  criver  in  Wisconsin). 


rattus:  rat. 

regius:  royal. 

reticulatus:  reticulate. 

rhombifer:  bearing  rhombs. 

rhotheus:  Gr.  pertaining  to  falls. 

rigidus:  rigid. 

riparius:  pertaining  to  shores. 

robustus:  robust. 

rostratus:  large-billed  or  snouted. 

rubellus:  reddish. 

ruber:  red. 

rubicundus:  ruddy. 

rubidus:  ruddy. 

rubricaudus:  red-tailed. 

rubricroceus:  saffron-red. 

rubrifrons:  red-faced, 
rufescens:  rusty- red. 
ruficapillus:  rusty-crowned, 
rufilineatus:  rusty-lined, 
rufus:  rusty-red, 
rugosus:  rough, 
rupestris:  living  among  rocks, 
rusticola:  living  in  the  country, 
ruticilla:  somewhat  fiery  red. 
rutilus:  fiery  red. 
sacer:  sacred, 
salar:  a  salmon, 
salmoides:  like  a  salmon, 
salmoneus:  like  a  trout, 
sanguifluus:  blood-flowing, 
sanguinolentus:  bloody, 
sapidissimus:  most  delicious  to  eat. 
satrapa:  a  prince  (knight), 
sauritus:  like  a  lizard, 
savanna:  Savanna, 
scaber;  rough, 
scabriceps:  rough -headed, 
scandiacus  :    ascending  (  or  Scandi- 
navian?) 

scomberius:  mackerel-like, 
scopiferus:  bearing  a  mark, 
scutatus:  with  scutes, 
scylla:  a  rock  near  Charybdis 
sebago:  Lake  Sebago. 
selene:  Gr.  the  moon, 
selenops:  Gr.  moon-eye, 
semifasciatus:  half-banded, 
semipalmatus:  semipalmate. 
septentrionalis:  northern, 
serpentinus:  serpent-like, 
s  er rator :  one  that  saws, 
serripinnis:  sa\v-finned. 
sexlineatus:  six-lined, 
sialis:  plump. 


17 


386 


GLOSSARY  OF   SPECIFIC   NAMES. 


slcculus:  dry,  i.  e.,  found  in  pools  left 

by  drying  of  streams, 
simoterus:  Gr.  snub-nosed, 
simulans;  resembling, 
sinius:  Gr.  snub-nosed, 
sirtalis:  like  a  garter, 
sisco:  vernacular,  Cisco, 
siscowet:  Indian  name, 
socialis:  sociable, 
solitarius:  solitary, 
sparverius:  pertaining  to  a  sparrow, 
spatula:  a  spatula, 
speciosus:  handsome, 
spectabilis:  notably  handsome, 
spectrum:  a  sight  to  see. 
spectrunculus:  a  littie  image, 
spelaeus:  living  in  caves, 
spilopterus:  Gr.  spotted-finned. 
spilotus:  Gr.  spotted, 
spinifer:  spine-bearing, 
spirlingulus  :    French    eperlanule,    a 

little  smelt  or  sprat, 
sponsa:  a  bride, 
spurius:  spurious, 
squamiceps:  scaly-headed, 
stellaris:  starry, 
stellatus:  star-spotted, 
stelliferus:  star-bearing, 
stigmaticus:  Gr.  spotted, 
stramineus:  straw-colored, 
streperus:  noisy, 
striatulus:  narrowly  striped, 
striatus:  striated, 
sturio:  a  sturgeon, 
subcaeruleus:  somewhat  blue, 
subis:  sudden, 
subterraneus:  underground, 
subulatus:  subulate, 
subviolaceus:  somewhat  violet, 
sucetta:  French  sucet,  a  sucker, 
superciliaris:  pertaining  to  the  region 

over  the  eye. 

superciliosus:  ridge  above  the  eye. 
sylvaticus:  living  in  the  woods, 
symmetricus:  symmetrical, 
talpoideus:  mole-like, 
talpoides:  mole-like, 
tarandus:  a  reindeer, 
telescopus:  Gr.  far-seeing 
tenellus:  slender, 
teres: terete, 
teretulus:  terete. 


tergeminus:  triple. 

tergisus:  polished. 

tessellatus:  checkered. 

thalassinus:  Gr.  sea-green. 

tigrinus:  tiger-colored. 

toma:  name  of  an  Indian. 

torquatus:  with  a  collar. 

trachyrhynchus:  Gr.  rough-billed. 

trichas:  Gr.  a  kind  of  thrush. 

tricolor:  three-colored. 

tridactylus:  three -clawed. 

tridecemlineatus:  thirteen-striped. 

triseriatus:  three-rowed. 

triunguis:  three-clawed. 

tristis:  sorrowful. 

troglodytes:  a  wren. 

truncatus:  cut  off  squarely. 

tuditanus:  hamiuer-headed. 

tullibee:  Indian  name. 

typicus:  typical. 

tyrannus:  a  king-bird. 

ulula:  a  bird  that  hoots. 

umbellus:  ruffed. 

umbrosus:  shady-colored. 

undulatus:  wavy. 

uranops:  Gr.  sky-gazing. 

urus:  a  wild  bull. 

vallisneria:  eel-grass(which  food  im- 
proves the  flavor). 

vandoisulus  :  French  vandoise,  a 
dace. 

variatus:  variegated. 

variegatus:   variegated. 

varius-.  various. 

velatus:  with  a  large  sail. 

velifer:  sail-bearing. 

venenosus:  venemous. 

ventralis:  on  the  belly. 

vermis:  a  worm. 

vernalis:  spring. 

versicolor:  various  colored. 

verticalis:  vertical  (on  high). 

vespertinus:  evening. 

villosus:  hairy. 

violaceus:  violet. 

virescens:  greenish. 

virens:  green. 

virginianus:  Virginian. 

viridescens:  greenish. 

viridis:  green. 

viscosus:  viscid. 

vison:  a  scout;  spy. 


GLOSSARY  OF   SPECIFIC   NAMES. 


vitreus:  glass y. 
vittatus:  striped, 
vitulus:  a  bull-calf, 
vociferus:  loud-voiced, 
volucella:  flying, 
vulgaris:  common, 
vulneratus:  wounded. 


vulpinus:  fox-like. 

xanthocephalus:  Gr.  yellow-headed. 

xiphias:  Gr.  a  sword. 

zebra:  zebra. 

zoualis:  banded. 

zonatus:  banded. 

zopherus:  Gr.  dusk; 


INDEX    TO    NAMES 


GENERA    AND    HIGHER    GROUPS, 

WITH  THEIR  DERIVATIONS. 


NOTE. — In  this  index,  names  of  genera  recognized  in  this  work 
are  printed  in  ordinary  type,  as  Dendro3ca;  families  and  higher 
groups  in  small  capitals,  as  EMTDID^E  ;  synonyms  and  sub-genera 
in  italics,  as  Arriblodon.  In  giving  the  etymology  of  terms,  all 
words  not  otherwise  designated  are  understood  to  be  Greek ;  L. 
indicates  Latin.  Greek  words  are  here,  for  convenience,  printed 
in  Roman  characters. 


PAGE. 

Abastor:  a  coined  name,  .  .  181 
Ablabes:  ablabes,  harmless,  .  179 
Abramis:  L.,  a  bream,  ,  .  301 
Acantharchus:  akantha  —  spine; 

archos  —  anal      (  many      anal 

spines) 237 

ACANTHOPTERI:  akantha— spine ; 

pteron — fin,  ....  215 
Accipiter:  L.,  ahawk,  .  .  113 
Acipenser:  L.,  a  sturgeon  (sharp 

fins), 345 

ACIPENSERID.4},     ....         344 

Acomus:  a  coined  name,  .  .  319 
Acris:  L.,  sharp  — from  the  note,  190 
Actiturus:  actaino  —  to  move 

quickly;  owro— tail  (wagtail),  129 
Actodromas:  aide  —  sea  beach; 

dromos— a  running,  .  .  127 
JSgialitis :  aigialites  —  pertaining 

to  the  shore 121 

^giothus:  aigiothos  —  a  hedge 

sparrow,  ....  82 

jEsalon:  aisalon—z  merlin  (kind 

of  hawk) Ill 

Agelaeus:  agelaios— gregarious,  92 
Aix:  aia>—  goat  (why?),  .  .  142 
ALAUDID^B:  L.,  alauda  —  a  lark 

(L.,  laudo  to  praise),       .       .         56 


PAGE. 

Alburnellus:   Dim.   of    Alburnus 

the  Bleak  (from  L.  albus,  white)296 
Alburnops:  Alburnus-like,       .       290 
Alee:  an  elk  (Scandinavian),  .         21 
ALCEDINID^E:  L.,  alcedo—  a  King- 
fisher  101 

ALECTO  RIDES:   alektor  —  a,  cock: 

eidos— likeness,  .  .  .  .  134 
Alligator:  L.,  one  who  binds,  .  157 
Allosomus:  allos— otherwise;  soma 

body 361 

Alosa:  German,  alse— a  shad,  .  278 
Alvordius:  to  Major  Alvord,  .  220 
Amblodon:  amb Ins  —  blunt;  odon 

tooth, 250 

Ambloplites  :       amblus  —  blunt; 
hoplites— armed,        .       .       .       237 

AMBLYOP8ID-E:     ....         268 

Amblyopsis:  amblus— blunt;  opsis 

vision, 269 

Amblystoma:       amblus  —  blunt; 

stoma— mouth,    .       .       .       .       194 
AMBLYSTOMID.E:        .      .      .      194 
Amia:  amia— name  of  some  ser- 
fisli,  probably  the  bonito,       .       340 

AMIID^H, 339 

Amiurus:  a— not;  meiouros— cur- 
tailed or  notched  (the  tail),    .      329 


390 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Ammocoetes:  ammoTeotte*— lying  in 

the  sand, 349 

Ammocrypta:      ammos  —  sand; 

kruptos— hidden,  .  .  .  219 
Ammodromus:  ammos  —  sand; 

dYomos— running,      ...         84 
Ainpelis:  ampelis— a  kind  of  sing- 
ing bird 73 

AMPELIDJB, 72 

Amphioxus:  amphi— everywhere; 

(both  ends) ;  oxus— sharp,  .  248 
Amphiplaga  :  amphi  —  every- 
where; plage— &  wound,  .  248 
Amphiuma:  meaning  unknown,  197 
AMPHIUMID^B,  .  .  .  .  197 
Amyda:  L.,  a  turtle  (Emys)  .  168 
ANACANTHINI  :  a  —  without ; 

akantha— spine,  .  .  .  257 
Anas:  L..  a  duck,  .  .  .  140 

ANATIDJB, 137 

Ancistrodon:   agkistron— a   hook; 

odon— tooth,  .  .  .  .  184 
ANGUID^B:  L.,  anguis— the  "  blind 

worm," 170 

Anguilla:  L.,  an  eel  (from  ansruis)338 

ANGPILLID2B,        ....         337 

Anorthura:  a  — without;   orthos— 

regular;  owra— tail,  .  .  55 
Anser:  L.,  a  goose,  .  .  .  140 
Anthus:  anthos—  a  flower,  or 

something  bright,     .  57 

Antrostoinus:      antron  —  cavern; 

stoma— mouth 99 

ANURA:  a— without;  oura— tail,    187 
Apeltes:  a— without; pelte— shield,259 

Aphododeridae 248 

Aphododerus :     aphodos  —  excre- 
ment; dere— the  neck  or  throat,  249 
APODKS:  a— without;  potts  — foot 

(ventral  fins),  ....  337 
Apomotis:  a  — without;  poma— 

opercle;  ous— ear,  .  .  .  239 
Aquila;  L.,  an  eagle,  .  .  .  114 
Archibuteo:  L..  chief  of  buzzards,114 
Arctomys:  arktos  —  bear;  mus— 

mouse 28 

Ardea:  L.,  a  heron,      .       .       .       131 

ARDEID^E 130 

Ardetta:  L.,  a  little  heron,        .       133 
Argyreus:  argureos— silvery,   .       307 
Argyrosomus:       arguros  —  silver ; 
soma— body.       .       .       .       274-361 
:  from  A.ra,  L.,  a  macaw,  105 


PAGE. 

Ariina:  a  coined  name,  .  .  223 
Aromochelys:  aroma— odor;  che- 

lus  -turtle 166 

Arquatella:    L.,     arcuatus  —  bent 

like  a  bow 127 

Arvicola:  L.,  living  in  fields,  .  32 
Asio:  L.,  a  horned  owl,  from  the 

asinine,  ear  tufts,  .  .  .  354 
Aspidonectes:  aspis— shield;  nek- 

tes— a  swimmer,  .  .  .  168 
AstatlcMhys:  as ta to s— never 

standing  still ;  ichthus— fish,         226 
Asternot/remia:  a  — not;  sternon— 
breast   (sternum);    tremo— vent 

(aperture) 249 

Astragalinus  ;     astragalos  —  the 

ankle  bone,  ....  83 
Astur:  L.,  a  goshawk,  .  .  112 
Asturina:  L.,  diminutive  of 

Astur, 113 

Atalapha:  (atalos— tender?)     .        23 
ATHERINID^E:  atherine  —  a  small 
bony   fish   (from  ather,    an  ar- 
row)  260 

Atractosteus  .   atraktos  —  spindle; 

osteon—  bone 342 

AVES:  L.,  birds,  ...        36 

Aythya:  aithuia— a  kind  of  water 

bird 143 

Bceone:  baion—a,  small  fish,  men- 
tioned by  classic  writers— from 

baios.  small 272 

Bascauium:  baskanos— malignant  178 
BATRAOHIA:  batrachos— a  frog,  185 
Belonesox:  L.,  Belone  —  a  silver 

gar ;  JBsox-a  pike,  .  .  .  261 
Bernicla:  Latin  name  (a  barnacle)  140 
Blarina:  a  meaningless  name,  26-352 
Boleichthys:  bolls  —  dart;  ichthus 

-fish, 228 

Boleosoma:    bolis  —  dart;    soma— 

body, 223 

Bonasa  :    L.,     a    bull,     from   the 

"drumming,"  .  .  .  .119 
Botaurus:  L.,  bos-taurus  —  bull 

from  the  "booming,"       .       .      133 
Brachyotus  :    brachuotos  —  short- 
eared 108 

Branta:  English,  brant,  .  .  140 
Bryttus:  brutto—to  growl,  .  239 
Bubalichthys:  boubolos  —  buffalo; 

ichthus— fish 323 

Bubo:  L.,  a  horned  owl,       ,       .      10$ 


INDEX. 


391 


PAGE. 

Bucephala:  bous— bull;   kephale— 

head 143 

Bufo:  L..  a  toad,  .  .  .  190 

BUFO>~HX<E: 190 

Buteo:  L.,  a  buzzard,  .  .  113 
Butorides:  L.,  bittern-like,  .  132 
Calemys  :  kalos— beautiful;  emus 

—turtle, 162 

Calidris:  L.,  a  sanderling,  .  128 
Calliurus:  kallos— beauty;  oura— 

tail, 236 

Calopisma  :  kalos  —  beautiful  ; 

lopisma — skin,  ....  181 
Campephilus:  kampe  —  caterpillar, 

phileo — to  love,  .  .  .  103 
Campostoma  :  kampe  —  curve  ; 

stoma— mouth,  .  .  .  287 

Camptolaemus:  kampte  —  flexible ; 

laimos— throat 144 

Canace:  L.,  a  daughter  of  Jiolus,  118 

CAXIDJS, 16 

Canis:  L.,  a  dog,  .  .  .  17-351 
CAPRIMULGID^E:  from  L.,  Capri- 

mulgus— goat-sucker,  .  .  98 
Carassius:  L.,  a  crucian  carp,  308 
Cardinalis:  L.,  cardinal,  .  .  89 
Carlacus :  from  a  vernacular  name,  22 
CARJJIVOUA:  L.,  flesh-eating,  15 
Carphophiops  :  karphos  —  a  dry 

twig;  aphis  —  snake;  ops  —  ap- 
pearance,   182 

Carpiodes;  L.,  carp-like,  .  321 
Carpodacus:  karpos— fruit;  dakno 

—to  bite 82 

Castor:  L.,  a  beaver,  ...  29 
CASTOKIDJJ,  ....  29 
Catharista:  kathairo— to  cleanse,  115 
Cathartes  :  kathartes  —  one  who 

purifies, 115 

CATHARTID^B,  ....  114 
Catonotus  :  kato  —  low  ;  notos  — 

back 227 

CATOSTOMID^E,  ....  309 
Catostomus:  kato  —  low;  stoma— 

mouth, 319 

Caudisona:  L.,  cauda  —  tail;  sono 

—to  sound, 184 

Celuta:  L. ,  ceZer-swif t,  .  .  182 
CKNTRARCHID^E,  .  .  .  232 
Centrarchus  :  kentron  —  spine  ; 

archos— anal  (many  anal  spines)  246 
Centrophanes  :  kentron  —  spine  ; 

phaneo — to  show,       ...         83 


PAGE. 

Centurus:  kenteo— to  prick;  oura 
—tail 104 

Ceratichthys:  keras— horn;  ichthus 
-fish 305 

Certhia:  L.,  a  creeper  wren,     .         53 

CERTHIID^E,          ....        53 

CERVID.B, 20 

Cervus:  L.,  a  deer,      ...         22 

Ceryle:  kerutos— a  kingfisher,         101 

Chaenobryttus:  chaino— to  yawn  ; 
bruttos— a  sun  fish  (growler),  237 

Chaetura  :  chaite — mane  (bristle); 
oura— tail, 100 

Chamaepelia  :  chamai  —  on  the 
ground;  peleia— ring-dove  (pel- 
eios — dusky),  .  .  .  .  116 

CHARADRIID^B,    ....       120 

Charadrius  :  charadrios  —  a  lap- 
wing or  some  other  water-bird 
(from  charadra,  a  torrent),  .  121 

Chatoessus:  chateo—to  yawn,  .       279 

Chaulelasmus:  chaulos—  loose,  or 
gaping  ;  elasmos  —  a  plate,  or 
blade 141 

Chelopus  :  chele  —  claw  ;  pous  — 
foot, 162 

Chelydra:  cheludros— a  water  tur- 
tle  167 

CHELYDRIIXE,      .       .      .      .       166 

CHIROPTERA:  cheir— hand;  pteron 
—wing 22 

Chirostoma  :  cheir  —  hand;  stoma 
mouth, 261 

Chloris:  chloros— green,     .       .         60 

Chologaster  :  cholos  —  defective, 
lame;  gaster  —  belly,  (ventral 
fins) 269 

Chondestes  :  chondros  —  grain  ; 
esthio— to  eat,  ....  85 

CHONDROSTEI  :  chondros  —  carti- 
lage; osteon— bone,  .  .  344 

Chordeiles:  choreo  —  to  wander; 
deile— twilight,  ....  99 

Chorophilus  :  c  ?i  o  r  o  s  —  dance 
(chorus);  phileo— to  love,  .  189 

Chro3cocephalus  :  chroia  —  color; 
kephale— head 150 

Chrosomus:  chroa— color ;  some- 
body  302 

Chrysemys  :  chrusos  —  golden  ; 
emus— water-turtle,  .  .  163 

Chrysomitris  :  chrusos  —  golden; 
mitra— cap 82 


392 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Circus:  L.,  a  sacred  falcon  which 
flies  in  circles,    ....       112 

ClNOSTERNID^B,  .         .         .         165 

Cinosternum  :    kineo  —  to    move; 

stcr  non— sternum,  .  .  .  166 
Cistothorus:  kistos  —  rock  -  rose; 

thereuo— to  seek,  ...  55 
Cistudo:  kiste— a  box,  .  .  162 
Clangula:  Latin  name,  clangor— 

a. sharp  bird's  scream.  .  .  143 
Clinostomus  :  klino  —  to  incline; 

stoma — mouth,  .  .  .  300 

Cliola:  an  Indian  name,  .  .  298 
CJLUPEID^E:  from  L.,  clupea— a 

herring, 278 

Cnemidophorus:  knemidophoros— 

wearing  leg  armor,  .  .  170 
Coccygus:  kokkux— a  cuckoo,  102 
Colaptes  :  kolapto— to  strike  with 

the  bill, 105 

Coliscus  :  Tcolos— a  deficiency,  289 
Collurio:  k  o  1 1  u  r  i  o  n— a  shrike 

(butcher) 77-354 

Coluber:  L.,  a  harmless  snake,  178 

COLUBRIDvE,  .         .         .         .         172 

Columba:  L.,  a  dove,  .  .  116 
COLUMB^E:  L.,  doves,  .  .  115 

COLUMBID^,  .         .         .         .          11C 

COLYM  HIDJB,  .         .         .         .         154 

Colymbus:  kolumbus— a  diver,       154 
Condylura:  kondulos— node;  oura 
— tail  (from  the  beaded  appear- 
ance when  dried),    ...         25 
Conocephalus:  konos— cone;  keph- 

ale— head 181 

Contopus:  fcontos-spear;  perns-foot,  97 
Conurus:  konos— cone;  oura— tail,  106 
Copelandia:  dedicated  to  Herbert 

Edson  Copeland,  .  .  .  246 
Coregonus:  korre  —  the  temples; 

gonos— angle,  .  .  .  274-360 
Coronella:  L.,  corona— a  crown,  180 

CORVID^B 93 

Corvina:  from  corvus,  .  .  251 
Corvus:  L.,  a  raven,  ...  94 
Corynorhinus  :  korune  —  club; 

rliin— snout,  ....  24 
Coryphodon:  koruphe  —  vertex, 

point;  odon — tooth,  .  .  .  178 
COTTID^B:  L.,  coitus  —  a  sculpin 

(fcottos-head),    .       .       .       .       251 
Cottopsis:  Cottus;  opsis  —  appear- 
ance,        255 


PAGE. 

Cottus:  Ttottos—  head    (from  the 

great  size  of  that  part),  .  252 
Coturniculus:  diminutive  of  ko- 

turnix— a  kind  of  grouse.      .         84 
Cotyle:  kotule—a  cavity  or  hole,       72 
Craxirex:   L,   crax—  a  gallinace- 
ous bird;  re.e— king,         .       .       113 
Cristivomer  :    L.,     crista  —  crest ; 

vomer— vomer 359 

CROCODILIA:  krokodeilos—a,  cro- 
codile  157 

Crocodilus 157 

CROTALID.«,         .       .       .       .       183 
Crotalophorus:  krotalon — a  rattle; 

phoreo— to  bear,  .  .  .  184 
Crotalus:  krotalon— a  rattle.  .  183 
CUCULID^E:  L.,  cuculus— acuckoo.101 
Cupidonia:  L.,  cupido— the  god  of 

love 119 

Cyunospiza:  kuaneos— blue;  spiza 

—sparrow, 89 

Cyannrus:    kuaneos  —  blue:    oura 

—tail 94 

Cycleptus:  kuklos— circle;  leptos— 
slender;     (i.    e.    "small   round 

mouth") 320 

CYCLOGANOIDEI:  cycloid-ganoid  339 
Cyclophis:    kuklos  —  circle;   opliis 

—snake 179 

Cygnus:  kuknos— a  swan,          .       139 
Cylindrosteus:  kulindros— a  cylin- 
der; osteon— bone,     .       .       .       342 
Cynoperca:  kuorir—a,  dog;   perke— 

perch  (from  the  canine  teeth),  230 
Cyprinella:  dim.  of  Cyprinus,  280 

CYPRINID^E, 280 

Cyprinodon:    kuprinos  —  a    carp; 

odon— a  tooth,  ....  262 
CYPRINODONTID^E,  .  .  .  261 
Cyprinus:  kuprinos— a  carp,  .  309 
CYPSKLID^E:  L.,  cypselus— a  swift 

(kupsele— acaverni,  .  .  .  99 
Dafila:  Latin  name,  .  .  .  141 
Decadactylus:  dekas— ten;  daktu- 

los— digit  (ten  ventral  rays),  319 
Dendrceca:  dendron— tree;  oikeo— 

to  inhabit 61 

DESMOGNATHID^E,     .       .       .       191 
Desmognathus:    desmos— a  bond; 

gnathos-jaw 192 

Diadophis:  dla— to  divide;    ophls 

—snake 179 

...        35 


INDEX, 


393 


PAGE. 

Dldelphys:  di»  —  two;  delphus — 
uterus, 35 

Diemyctylus:  meaning  unknown,  191 

Diplesium:  dis  —  two;  plesion— 
nearly  (dorsal  fin).  .  .  222 

Dolichonyx:  dolichos— long;  onux 
— claw, 91 

Dorysoma:  doru  —  lance;  some- 
body  279 

DORYSOMATID^!,  .        '.         .         278 

Ectopistes :   efcf opisteos  —  disposed 

to  depart 116 

Elanus:  elanos— a  kite,       .       .       112 

ELAPID.E 182 

Elaps:  elaps— a  harmless  snake,      188 
ELASMOBRAJfcmi :     elasmos  —  a 

plate;  bragchia-gill,       .       .       347 
Elassoma:  elassoma— a  being  re- 
duced, or  diminished,      .       .       248 

ELASSOMID.E 247 

Elattonistius:     elation  —  smaller; 

fustics— banner  (dorsal  fin),  .       277 
Empidonax:  empls  —  a  mosquito; 
anax— a  prince,         ...         97 

EMYDID^B, 161 

Emys:  emus— a  water  tortoise,        163 
Eiiueacanthus  :         ennea  —  nine  ; 

akantha— spine,         ,       .       .       245 
Episema:  epi— above;  sema— ban- 
ner (dorsal  flu  above  ventrals),    298 
Eremophila  :    eremos  —  desert  ; 

phileo— to  love,  ...  56 
Eretbizon:  erethizo—to  irritate,  34 
Ereunetes:  ereunetes— an  inquirer, 

searcher, 126 

Ericymba:  eri— an  intensive  par- 
ticle; feumba— hollow  or  cavity,  299 
Ericosma:  er  —  spring-time  ;  fcos- 

meo— to  adorn 221 

Erimyzon:  eri— an  intensive  par- 

ticie;  muzao— to  suck,  .  .  319 
Erismatopterus  :  ereisma— a  prop 

or  lever;  pteron— fin,       .       .       248 
Erismatura  :   ereisma— a  support, 
prop;  oura— tail,       .       .       .       145 

EsociD^B, 266 

Esox:  L.  a  pike,    ....       266 
Estrella:  a  word  of  euphony,       223 
Etheostoma  :  said  by  Rafinesque 
to     mean     "various     mouths," 
from  the  variety  in  that  respect 
In  the  genus  as  at  first  consti- 
tuted,      227 


PAGE- 

ETHEOSTOMATID^E,  .  .  .  215 
Eucalia:  eu — true;  fcalia— nest,  259 
Eudytes:  cu— well;  dates— a  diver,  154 
Eumeces:  eumekes— long,  of  good 

stature 171 

Eupomotis  :    eu  — well    or    true; 

Pomotis 244 

ECRHIPIDURA  :  eu— true  ;   rhipis 

fan;   oura— tail,         ...         37 
Euspiza:  eu— true;  spiza—a.  spar- 
row,      88 

Eutaenia:   eu  — true;   tainia— rib- 
bon,       ......       176 

Eutychelithus  :  eutuches  —  lucky; 

litlios— stone,  ....  251 
EVEXTOGNATHI  :  eu— true;  entos 

—within;  gnatUos— jaw,  .  280 
Evotomys  :  erotos  —  long  -  eared ; 

mus— mouse,  ....  32 
Exoglossuin:  exo — outside  ;  ylossa 

tongue 308 

Falcinellus:  L.,/ate— a  scythe,  134 
Falco:  L..  a  falcon,  .  .  .  Ill 
FALCONID^E,  ....  109 
Farancia:  a  word  of  euphony,  181 
Fario:  L.,  a  brook  trout,  .  .  271 

FELIDJB, 15 

Felis:L.,acat 16 

FER.E:  L.,  /era— wild,  savage,  15 
Fiber:  L.,  a  beaver,  ...  33 
Florida:  Florida,  one  of  the  U.  S. 

where  Herons  abound,  .  132 
FIUXGILLID^::  from  L.,  Fringilla 

—a  finch, 77 

Fulica:  L.,  a  coot  (sooty),  .  136 
Fuligula:  diminutive  of  Fulix,  142 
Fulix:  same  as  Fulica,  .  .  142 
Fundulus:  L.,  fundus— bottom,  263 
GADIDJ3:  L.,  gadus— a  cod-fish,  257 
Galeoscoptes  :  g  alee  —  weasel  ; 

skoptes— mocker,  ...  48 
GALLING:  L.,  Oallus— a  cock,  117 
Gallinago:  L.,  Gallina— a  kind  of 

wader, 126 

Gallinula:  diminutive  of  Gallina,  136 
GANOIDEI:  ganos— splendor,  .  339 
Garzetta:  a  proper  name,  .  132 

GASTEROSTEID-fi,          .         *         .         258 

Gasterosteus:  gaster  —  belly  ;  ost- 
eon— bone, 259 

Gelochelidon  :  gelao  —  to  laugh  ; 
chelidon— a  swallow,  .  .  151 

29 


394 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Geomys:  ge  —  the  earth;    mus  — 

mouse, 29 

Geothlypis:  ge— the  earth;  thjupis 

a  warbler  (?),  ....  68 
Gila:  Gila  River,  where  the  typical 

species  occurs,  ....  300 
Girardinus:  to  Dr.  Chas.  Girard,  262 
GJLIRES:  L.,  glis— a  dormouse,  26 
Glottis:  glottis— name  of  some  bird,128 
Glyptemys  :  gluptos  —  sculptured; 

emus— tortoise,  .  .  .  .  163 
GOBIID^E:  L..  gobius  —  a  goby,  256 
Gobiosoma:  L.,  gobius— a  goby  ; 

soma— body 257 

Goniaphea  :  gonos  —  cheeks  (?); 

phaios— black 88 

Goniochelys:  gonia— angle;  chelus 

—turtle 166 

Graculus:  L.,  a  jackdaw,  from  its 

note— gra,  gra 147 

Graptemys  :  graptos  —  engraved  ; 

emus— tortoise 164 

Gronias:  grone— a  cavern,  .  333 

GRUID^B, 134 

Grus:  L.,  a  crane,  .  .  .  135 
Grystes:  gruzo— to  growl,  .  .  236 
Guiraca:  meaningless,  .  .  89 
Gulo:  L.,  gulo— a  glutton,  .  ,  19 
Gypochelys:  gups—a,  vulture;  che- 
lus—a,  turtle,  .  .  .  .  167 
Gyrinophilus:  gurinos— a  tadpole; 

phileo— to  love 194 

Hadropterus:  hadros  —  stout;  pte- 

ron— fin, 221 

H^EMATOPODID^fi,         .         .         .         122 

Haematopus  :  haima— blood  ;  pous 
foot. 122 

Haldea:  meaningless  ?      .       .       181 

Haliaetus:  hals— sea;  aetos— eagle,  114 

Haplochilus  :  haploos  —  single, 
simple;  cheilos— a  lip,  .  .  263 

Haplodontia  :  haploos  —  simple  ; 
odon — tooth,  ....  29 

Haploidonotus:  haploidos— cloak- 
ed; notos— back,  from  scales  on 
dorsal  fin 250 

HAPLOMI:  haploos— simple ;  omos 
—  humerus,  ....  261 

Harelda:  L.,  a  herald.        .       .       143 

Harporhynchus  :  harpe— a  sickle; 
rhunchos— a  bill,  ...  48 

Hedymeles:  hedus  — sweet;  melos 
—a  song 88 


PAGE. 

Helioperca:  helios— the  sun;  perke 
—perch 241 

Helminthophaga:  helmins  —  a 
worm;  phago— to  eat,  .  60-353 

Helmitherus:  helmins— a  worm; 
thereuo— to  seek,  ...  60 

HKMIBRANCHII:  Tie  mi— half; 
bragchia— gills,  .  .  ,  258 

Hemidactylium:  hemi  —  half; 
daTctulos— claw,  .  .  .  193 

Hemioplites:  Tiemi— half;  hoplites 
—armed 245 

Hemitremia:  hemi — half;  trema— 
aperture  (  lateral  line  half 
way), 303 

Herodias:  herodios— a  heron,   .       132 

HERODIONES,       ....       130 

Hesperiphona ;  hesperos— evening ; 
phoneo — to  sing,  ...  81 

Hesperocichla:  hesperos  —  even- 
ing; kichle— a  thrush,  .  .  47 

Hesperomys:  hesperos  —  evening ; 
mus— a  mouse 31 

Heterodon :  heteros  —  different ; 
odon— tooth,  .  .  .  .  174 

Hierofalco:  L.,  hierax—a  hawk; 
/afco-a  falcon Ill 

Himantopus:  himantopout  —  a 
kind  of  water-bird  (crook- 
shanks) 123 

HlRtTNDINID^K  ,     ....  70 

Hirundo:  L..  a  swallow,  .  .  71 
Histrionicus:  L.,  a  harlequin,  144 
Hololepis:  Tiolos— entirely;  lepis— 

a  scale, 228 

Hopladelus:  hopleis  —  armed ;  de- 
les-visible, .  ...  334 
Hucho:  a  Latinized  name,  (Ger. 

Hecht,  a  pike) 271 

Hudsonius:  Hudson  River,  .  290 
Huro:  Lake  Huron,  .  .  .  236 
Hybognathus  :  hubos  —  gibbous; 

gnathos— jaw 289 

Hybopsis:  hubos— gibbous  ;  opsis 

—face, 290 

Hyborhynchus  :  hubos  —  gibbous ; 

rhunchos— snout,  .  .  .  288 
Hydrargyra:  hudor  —  water  ;  ar- 

guros— silver 262 

Hydrochelidon  :  hudor  —  water  ; 

chelidon — swallow,  ,  .  .  153 
Hydrophlox:  hudor— water ;  phlox 

-flame,  292 


ESTDEX. 


395 


Hyla:  hule—  forest, 


PAGE. 

.  .  189 
189 
Hylocichla:  hule  —  forest;  kichle— 

thrush,  ......         46 

Hylomyzon:  hilus  —  mud:  muzo  — 

to  suck  ......       319 

Hylotomus:  hule  —  wood;  tomos— 

cutting,  .....  103 
Hyodon:  L.,  os  hyoides  —  bone  of 

the  tongue;  odon—  a  tooth  (in- 

tended for  "  toothed  tongue  "),  277 
HYODONTID^E:  ....  276 
Hyostoma:  hus—  swine;  stoma—  a 

mouth  .......       222 

Hypentelium:  Tiupo—  under  (lip?); 

enteles—  perfect  (more  likely— 

hupo—  under  (lip);  pente  —  five; 

the  lower  lip  was  said  by  Rafin- 

esque  to  be  five-lobed),  .  .  319 
Hypohomus:  hupo  —  beneath  ;  ho- 

mos—uniform, ....  221 
Hyperistius:  huper—  high;  histion 

—a  sail  (dorsal),  .  .  .  247 
HYPEROARTIA:  huperoa—  palate; 

artios—  perfect  .....  347 
HYPEROTRETA:  huperoa—  palate; 

tretos—  perforate,  .  .  .  347 
Hypsifario:  hupsir-  deep;L.,  Fario 

-a  trout  ......       357 

Hypsilepis:  hupsi  —  high;  lepis— 

scale  .......       293 

Ibis:  name  iu  Greek,  .  .  134 
Ichthselurus:  ichthus  —  fish;  aiZu- 

ros—  cat,  .....  328 
IcMhelte:  ichthus  —  fish;  helois— 

the  sun,  .....  239 
Ichthyobus:  ichthut—  fish  ;  bous— 

buffalo,  ......       322 

Ichthyomyzon:  ichthus  —  fi  s  h  ; 

muzo—  to  suck  .....  349 
Ictinia:  iktinos—  a  kite,  .  .  112 
Icteria:  ikteros—a,  yellowish  green 

bird,  the  sight  of  which  would 

cure  the  jaundice  (ifctero*).    In 

the  process  the  bird  dies,       .         68 

ICTERUXE,       .....  90 

Icterus:  same  as  Icteria,  .  .  92 
IGUANIDJB:  Iguana—*  vernacular 

name  .......       169 

Iniostoma:  eimi—  to  move;  stoma 

mouth  (mouth  protractile),  .  222 
IXSECTIVOBA:  L.,  insecta—  insect; 

voro—  to  eat,        .  24 


PAGE. 

Ischnognathus  :      itchnot  —  thin ;  - 

gnatftos— jaw 176 

IsoSPOKDYLl:  isos— equal;   spon- 

dulos— a  vertebra,  .  .  .  270 
Ispida:  a  Latin  name,  .  .  101 
JacuZus:  L.,  something  thrown,  30 
Junco:  meaningless,  .  88-354 

Labidesthes :  labis— a  pair  of  for- 
ceps; esthio— to  eat,         .       .       261 

LABRACID^E 231 

Labrax:  labrax  —  name    of  some 

voracious  sea-fish,    .       .       .       231 
LACERTILIA:  L.,  lacerta— a  lizard  168 
Lagochila:  lagocheilos  —  hare -lip- 
ped,         311 

Lagopus:  lagopous  ^  a  ptarmigan 
from  logos— a  hare ;  pous  —  foot 
(rough-footed  like  a  hare),    .       119 
LAMELLIROSTRES  :   L.,   lamella— 

a  thin  plate ;  rostrum— bill.  137 
Lampropeltis:  Zampros  —  shining; 

pelte— shield,    .       .       .       .       180 
LANllD.fi  :   L.,  lanius  —  a   shrike 

(butcher) 76 

Lanivireo:  lanius-vireo,    .       .         76 

LARID^B, 148 

Larus:  laro*— a  seagull,  .  .  150 
Lasiurus:  lasios  —  hairy  ;  oura  — 

tail 24 

Lepibema  .    lepis  —  scale  ;   bema— 
step.  "  in  allusion  to  the  scaly 
basis  of  the  unpaired  fins,"    .       231 
LEPIDOSTEID^?,    ....      341 
Lepidosteus:  lepis— scale;  osteon— 

—bone 342 

Lepiopomus  :     lepion  —  a    scale  ; 

poma — opercle 239 

Lepomis  :    lepis  —  scale  ;  poma  — 

opercle 239 

LEPORID^B, 34 

LEPTOCARDII:   leptos— thin;  fcar- 

dia— heart, 347 

Leptophis  :  leptos— slender  ;  ophis 

—snake, 179 

Lepus:  L.,  a  hare,  ...  34 
Lestris  :  lestris— a  robber,  .  149 
Leuciscus  :  L.,  a  dace  (leukos— 

white),  .  .  .  .  .  295 
Leucosomus:  leultos— white;  coma 

—body 304 

LrsricOL^B  :   L.,  Zimus— mud  ;  colo 

—to  inhabit,  ....  120 
Limosa:  L.,  Zimo*u«  — muddy,  128 


396 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 
Llopeltis:  leios  —  smooth  ;   pelte— 

shield, 179 

Litholepis  :  lithos  —  stone  ;  lepis— 

scale 342 

Lobipes:  lobos— lobe  ;  pous— foot,   123 
LoNGIPENNES:  L.,  longus  —  long ; 

penna— wing 147 

Lophodytes:  lophos — crest;  dutes— 

diver 145 

Lophophanes  :     lophos  —  crest  ; 

phaino — to  show,       ...         51 

Lota:  L.,  a  ling 257 

Loxia:  loxos— crosswise,    .       .         82 
Lucioperca  :  L.,  lucius  —  a    pike; 

perca— a  perch,  .  .  .  230 
Lutra:  L.,  an  otter,  ...  19 
Luxilus:  a  shiner  (L.,  lux— light),  293 
Lynx:  lugx— a  wildcat,  .  .  16 
Lythrurus:  luthron  —  blood;  oura 

tail 295 

Macrochelys  :    makros  —  large  ; 

chelus— a  turtle,  .  .  .  167 
Macrorhamphus  :  makros— large: 

rhamphos— bill,  .  .  .  126 
Malacoclemmys:  malakos  -  soft; 

Tdemmus— a  turtle,  .  .  .  164 
MAMMALIA:  Latin  name  (mamma)  12 
Mareca:  meaningless,  .  .  141 
MARSIPOBRANCHII  :  marsipion— 

a  pouch;  bragchia— gills,  .  347 
MARSUPIALIA  :  marsipion  — 

pouch, 35 

Meda:  a  classical  name,    .       .       280 
Melanerpes:  meZas  — black;  herpo 

—to  creep 104 

Melanetta  :  melas— black  ;   netta— 

a  duck 144 

Melanura:  melas-black  ;oura-a  tai!265 

MKLEAGRIDJE 117 

Meleagris  :   meleagris  —  a    fowl, 

(from  the  hero  Meleager,  whose 

sisters    wept    themselves    into 

Gu  nea-hens),  .  .  .  117 
Melospiza  :  ?neZos— song  ;  spiza— a 

sparrow 87 

Menobranchus  :  menos— strength; 

(meno — to  remain)  ;  bragchos— a 

gill, 198 

MENOPOMID^E 196 

Menopoma  :    menos  —  strength   : 

poma— opercle 196 

Mephitis:  L.,  a  bad  odor,  .         19-351 
Mergus :  L.,  mergo — to  dive,      .       145 


PAGE. 

Mesogonistius  :  mesos  —  middle  ; 
gonia — angle:  histlon — sail  (dor- 
sal)  245 

Micristius :  mikros— small  ;  Ms- 
tion— sail  (dorsal),  ...  264 

Micropalama  :  mikros  —  small  ; 
palame— palm  (web),  .  .  126 

Microperca:  mikros— small ;  perke 
—a  perch, 229 

Micropterus  :  mikros  —  small  ; 
pteron— a  fin 236 

Microsorex:  mikros— small ;  sorex 
—shrew, 352 

Milvulus:  dim.  of  L.,  milvus  —  a 
kite 96 

Mimus:  mimos— a  mocker,       .         48 

Minnilus  :  English  minnow  ; 
French,  menuise ;  L.,  minus- 
small 296 

Minomus :  meaningless,    .       .       319 

Minytrema  :  minus  —  reduced  ; 
trema— aperture  (laternal  line),  318 

Mniotilta:  mnion  —  moss;  tillo— to 
pull 59 

Molothrus:  moZos— a  mass;  throos 
—a  rustling  (?).  ...  91 

Morone:  meaningless,        .       .       232 

MOTACILLIDJEC  :  L..  motacilla  —  a 
wagtail 56 

Moxostoma:  muxo—  tosuck;sfoma 
—mouth,  .  319 

Mursenopsis  :  muraina  —  an  eel  ; 
opsts— appearance,  .  .  .  197 

MURID^B, 30 

Mus:  mus— a  mouse,    ...         31 

Mustela:  L.,  a  weasel,         .       .         18 

MUSTELID^E 17 

Myiadestes  :  myia— a  fly;  deo  —  to 
bind  (catch) 48 

Myiarchus:  myia— a,  fly;  archos— 
chief 96 

Myiodioctes:  myia— a  fly;  dioko— 
to  chase 68 

Myonomes:  mus— mouse;  nomos— 
pasture 32 

Myxocyprinus  :  muxo  —  to  suck; 
kuprinos— carp.  .  .  .  309 

Myxostoma:  muxo— to  suck;  stoma 
—mouth 312 

Nanemys:  nanos— dwarf  ;  emus- 
turtle,  163 

Nanostoma:  nanos— small;  stoma 
—mouth, 225 


INDEX. 


397 


PAGE. 

Nauclerus:  nauderos— a  ruler,       112 
Necturus  :    neklos  —  swimming  ; 

oura— tail 198 

NEMATOGNATHI  :  nema  —  barbel; 

gnathos— jaw,      ....       326 
Neocorys:  neos— new;  corus— hel- 
met  57 

Neosorex:  neo— to  swim;  L.,  sorex 

—a  shrew, 351 

Neotoma:  neo  — to  swim;  tome  — 

a  cutting  (Rodent),  ...  31 
Nerodla:  neros— moist,  .  .  175 
Neition:  nettion— a  little  duck,  142 
Nisus:  a  king  of  Megara,  changed 

to  an  eagle,        ....       113 
Nocomis  :  Ind.,  no ko mis— daugh- 
ter of  the  moon,     .       .       .       305 
Notemigonus;  notos  —  back;  hemi 

—half;  gonia— angle,  .  .  301 
Nothonotus  :  nothos  —  spurious  : 

notos— back 225 

Njtophthalmus  :  notos—  back  ; 

ophthalmos—eye,  .  .  ,  191 
Notropis:  notos  —  back  ;  tropis— a 

keel 296 

Noturus:  notos— back;  oura— tail  335 
Numeuius  :   noumenia  —  the  new 

moon 129 

Nyctale:  nuktalos— nocturnal,  108 
Nyctea:  nuktios— nocturnal,  .  109 
Nyctherodius  :  nuktios  —  noctur- 
nal; herodios— a  heron,  .  .  132 
Nyctiardea:  L.,  a  night-heron,  132 
Nycticejus:  mix— night,  .  .  23 
Ochetodon:  ochetos  —  a  channel: 

odon—a  tooth 32 

OEdemia:  oidema— a  swelling,         144 
Oligocephalus  :  oligos  —  a  few 

(small);  kephale— head,  .  .  226 
Oligosoma  :  oligos— small  ;  soma— 

body 171 

Olor:  a  Latin  name,     .       .       .       139 
Oncorhynchus  :  o  n  k  o  s  —  hook  ; 

rhugchos— snout.  .  .  .  356 
Opheosaurus:  ophis— snake;  sau- 

ros— lizard 170 

Ophibolus  :  opMs— snake  ;  bolis— 

dart 180 

OPHIDIA:  ophis—  snake,     .       .       172 
Oporornis:  opora  —  early  autumn 

(fruit);  ornis  —  bird,  .  .  67 
Ortyx  :  ortux  —  a  European 

quail, 119 


PAGE. 

Oryzomys:  L.,  oryza— rice;  mus— 

mouse, 32 

Osceola :  Name  of  an  Indian 

chief,  ...  .  .  181 

Osmerus:  osmeres— odorous,  .  273 
Otocorys:  ous— ear;  korus— helmet,  56 
Otus:  otos— a  horned  owl  (otos— 

eared) 107 

Ozotheca  :  ozo  —  to  give  out  an 

odor;  theke— a  box,  .  .  ,  166 
Pagophila  :  pagos— ice  ;  phileo — to 

love 150 

Pandion:  name  in  mythology,  112 
Pantosteus:  pantos— everywhere; 

osteon— bone  (from  the  closing 

of  the  f ontanelle,  which  chiefly 

distinguishes  the  genus    from 

Catostomus)  ....  309 

PARID^E, 51 

Parula:  dim.  of  Parus,  .  .  60 
Parus:  L..  a  titmouse,  .  .  51 
Passer:  L.,  a  sparrow,  .  .  83 
Passerculus:  dim.  of  Passer,  .  84 
Passerella:  dim.  of  Passer,  .  88 

PASSERES 44 

Pedioecetes:  petition— a  field;  koite 

—a  nest 118 

Pedomys:  pedion— field;  mus— a 

mouse, 33 

PELECANID^B,  ....  146 
Pelecanus:  pelekan—z  pelican,  146 
Pelidna:  pelidnos— livid,  .  .  127 
Pelionetta:  pel  eios—  blackish; 

Tietta-duck 145 

Pelodichthys:  pelos  —  mud;  ich- 

thus— fish 334 

Perca:  perke  —  a  perch  (.perkos— 

dusky) 229 

PERCESOCES:  L.,  perca  —  perch; 

esfix— a  pike 260 

PERClD.fi, 229 

Percina:  dim.  of  Perca,    .       .       219 

PERCOPSID^E,      ....       270 

Percopsis:  perke— a  perch;  opsis— 
appearance 270 

PERDICID^E:  L.,  perdix— a  part- 
ridge  119 

Perisoreus:  peri— around;  soros— 
a  hill,  a  heap 95 

Perissoglossa:  perissos— odd;  glos- 
sa— a  tongue,  ....  61 

Petrochelidon:  petros  —  a  rock; 
chelidon—  a  swallow,  .  .  71 


398 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Petromyzon :  petros— a  stone ;  muzo 

—to  suck 348 

PETROMYZONTID.E  ,  .  .  .  &48 
Peucsea:  peuke — a  pine  tree,  .  87 
PHALACROCORACIIXE:  phalakros 

— bald ;  korax— a  raven,  .  147 
PHALAROPODID^E,  .  .  .  123 
Phalaropus :  phalaros  —  shining ; 

pous— foot 123 

Phenacobius:  phenax — deceptive; 

bios— life 299 

Philohela:  phileo— to  love;   hele— 

sunlight;  ( hilus— mud ?),  .  125 
Philomachus:  phileo  — to  love; 

mac  Tie— a  fight,  .  .  .  129 
Photogenis:  photogenis  —  boru  of 

light 294 

Phoxinus:  phoxinos— a  minnow; 

(phoxos— tapering),  .  .  302 
Phrynosoma:  phrune— a  toad;  so- 

ma— body 170 

Pica:  L.,  a  magpie,      ...         94 
PICARLE:   L.,    picus  —  a    wood- 
pecker  98 

PICID^E,          102 

Picoides:  L.,  like  a  woodpecker,  104 
Picus:  L.,  a  woodpecker,  .  .  103 
Pileoma:  pile  ma  — something 

compact, 219 

Pimelodus:pimeloa'es— fat,  .  300 
Pimephales:  pimele—  fat;  kephale 

-head, 288 

Pinicola:  L.,  living  among  pines,  81 
Pipilo:  L.,  pipilo— to  chirp,  .  89 
PISCES:  L.,  fishes,  .  .  .  199 
Pitymys:  pitus— a  pine-tree ;  mut 

—mouse, 33 

Pityophis:    pitus  —  a  pine-tree; 

ophis— snake 178 

Placopharynx:plax— anything  flat 

and  broad;  pharunx—  pharynx,  296 
Planesticus:  Greek,  planesticos— 

wandering,  vagabond,    .       .         47 
Planiroslra:  L.,  planus— flat;  ros- 
trum—snout  344 

Plargyrus:   pleura— side;  arguros 

—silver, 293 

Platygobio:  plains— broad  or  flat; 

L.,  GoUo— a  gudgeon,  .  .  304 
Plectrophanes:  plektron  —  a  spur; 

phaneo— to  show,  .  .  83-354 
Plestiodon:  pleistos— many;  odon 

—tooth, 171 


PAGE. 

Plethodon :    plethos  —  abundance ; 

odon— tooth 193 

PLETHODONTIDJJ,  .  .  .  192 
PLEURODKLIO^E  :  Pleurodeles  ; 

pleuron— side ;  deleeis  —  destruc- 
tive  190 

Pleurolepis:  pleuron  —  side;  lepis 

—scale, 219 

PLOTUXB.  ,  146 

Plotus:  plos— a  swimmer,  .  146 
Podiceps:  L.,  podex  —  rump;  pes— 

foot 155 

PODIOIPID^,  ....  155 
Podilymbus  :  L.,  podiceps  —  a 

grebe;  colymbus— a  loon,       .       156 
Poecilichthys:      poikilos  —  varie- 
gated; ichthus— fish,       .       .       226 
Polioptila:  polios— hoary;  ptilon — 

feather 50 

Polyodon  :  polus  —  many  ;  odon— 

tooth 344 

POLYODON  TIDJZ,  .  .  .  343 
Pomolobus:  poma  — opercle;  lobos 

—lobe, 279 

Pomotis:    poma  — opercle;    ous— 

ear, 239 

Pomoxys:  poma— opercle;   oxus— 

Bliarp 247 

Pooecetes  ;    poa  —  meadow-grass ; 

koite— nest,  ...         84 

Porphyrio ;     porphurion  —  a    red 

water    bird,    from    porphurios, 

purple, 136 

Porzana:  meaningless,  .  .  136 
Potamocottus:  potamos  —  a  river; 

kottos— a  sculpin,  .  .  .  254 
Procyon:  pro— before;  Ttuon— dog  20 
PROOYONID^B,  ....  20 
Progne:  a  daughter  of  Pandion, 

who  was  changed  into  a  swallow  72 
Prosopium:  prosopeia— a  mask  (in 

allusion  to  the  broad  preorbital),  362 

PROTEIDA 197 

PROTEID^E, 197 

Proteus:  a  name  in  mythology,      197 
Protistius:  protos— before,  in  ad- 
vance; histion— sail  (dorsal  fin),  262 
Protonotaria  :    L.,    noted     above 

others:  prothonotary,  .  .  60 
Pseudemys:  pseudos— false ;  emus 

—a  tortoise 164 

Pseudobrauchus:  pseudos  —  false; 

bragchos— gills,         ...       198 


INDEX. 


399 


PAGE. 

Pseudotriton:  pseudos— false:  tri- 

ton—a,  water  Salamander,  .  194 
PSITTAOI:  L.,  psittacus— a  parrot,  105 
Pteromys  :  pteron  —  wing  ;  mus — 

mouse, 27 

Ptychemys  :    ptuche  —  a    fold    or 

wrinkle;  emus— a  tortoise,  .  164 
Ptychostomus:  ptuche  —  a  fold  or 

wrinkle;  sterna— mouth,  .  312 
Ptyonotus:  ptuon—a,  fan;  notos— 

back, 256 

Putorius:  L.,  ill-scented,  .  18 
PYGOPODES:  puge— rump;  pous— 

foot, 153 

Pygosteus:  puge— rump;  osteon— 

bone, 260 

Pyranga  :    pur  —  fire  ;   Ictnugra, — 

tanager 70 

Pyrgita:  purgites-z  house  sparrow,  83 
Quassilabia:  L.  quassus  —  broken 

or  torn;  labia— lip,  .  .  .  402 
Querquedula:  L.,  a  teal,  .  .  141 
Quiscalus:  quiscala — a  vernacular 

name 93 

R4LLID.E, 135 

Rallus:  L.,  a  rail,  .  .  .  135 
Raua:  L.,  a  frog,  .  .  .  187-357 

RAXID^fi 187 

Rangifer:  L.,  a  reindeer,  .       .         21 
RAPTORES:  L.,  robbers,    .       .       106 
Recurvirostra:  L.,  recurvus  —  re- 
curved; rostrum— bill,     .       .       123 

RECURVIROSTRID.fi,  .  .  .  122 
Regina:  L.,  a  queen,  .  .  .  175 
Regulus:  L.,  a  kinglet,  .  .  50 
Reithrodon:  reithron  —  a  channel ; 

odon— tooth 32 

REPTILIA:  L.,  repto— to  creep  or 

crawl 157 

Rheocrypta:  rheo— to  flow  rapidly ; 

kruptos— hidden  (hiding  in  the 

rapids) 222 

Rhinichthys:  rhirir— snout;  icMhus 

—fish 307 

Rhinogryphus  :  r  h  i  n  —  snout  ; 

grups— a  gi  iffln,  .  .  .  115 
RHOMBOGANOIDEI  :  rhombus  —  a 

diamond  -  shaped    fi  g  u  r  e  ,     a 

rhomb;  ganoidei— ganoids,  .  340 
Rhyacophilus  :  rhuax  —  river  ; 

phileo— to  love 129 

Rhynchophanes  :  rhunchos  —  bill ; 

phaneo — to  show,      .       .       .       354 


PAGE. 

Rhynchops:  rhunchos— snout:  ops 
—face, 153 

Rhytidostomus:  rhutis  —  rough  ; 
stoma— mouth,  ....  320 

Rissa:  a  Latin  name  (ri*us— 
laughing) 150 

Roccus  :  from  vernacular,  Rock- 
fish,  231 

RODENTIA:  L.,  rodo — to  gnaw,        26 

Salamandra:  L.,  a  Salamander,    193 

Salar  :  L.,  a  trout  (s olio  — to 
leap) 271-357 

Salmo :  L.,  a  trout  (salio  —  to 
leap) 271-356 

SALMONID^B,          .       .      .     270-355 

Salvelinus:  German,  salbling  —  a 
small  salmon,  .  .  .  271-359 

Sarchlrus  :  sarx  —  fish;  cheir  — 
hand 342 

Sarcidium  :  sarkidion  —  a  little 
lump  of  flesh  ....  299 

SAXICOLID^E:  L.,  saxlcola— living 
among  rocks 49 

Sayornis:  to  Thomas  Say;  ornis— 
a  bird 96 

Scalops:  skalops  —  a  mole,  from 
skallo— to  dig 25 

Scapanus  :  skapane  —  a  hoe  or 
shovel, 25 

SCAPHIOPID^B,      ....       188 

Scaphiopus:  skaphos-  -spade  ;pou* 
—foot, 189 

Scaphirhynchus  :  skaphos— spade; 
rhunchos— snout,  .  .  .  346 

Scaphirhynchops  :  Scaphirhynch- 
us; ops— appearance,  .  .  346 

Sceloporus  :  skelos  —  leg;  poros — 
pore 169 

Schilbeodes  :  from  Schilbe,  a  for- 
eign genus  of  SiluridcB,  .       .       335 
:  sclcena— Latin  name,  250 
:  skigkos— a  kind  of  liz- 
ard  171 

SCIURUXE, 26 

Sciurus  :  skiouros  —  a  squirrel  ; 
(sfcio— shade;  oura— tail),  .  27 

Sciuropterus  :  sfeiouros— a  squir- 
rel; pteron— wing,  ...  27 

Sclerognathus  :  skleros  —  hard  ; 
gnathos  —  jaw,  .  .  .  322 

Scolecophagus  :  efcoJex—  worm  ; 
phayo— to  eat 93 


400 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Scolecosoma;  skolex—worm;  soma 
—body 349 

SCOLOPACID^E 124 

Scolopax:  skolopax— a  snipe,  .  126 
Scops:  shops— a  screech  owl,  .  108 
Scotiaptex  :  skotia  —  darkness  ; 

ptesso— to  frighten,   .       .       .       108 
Scotophilus  :    skotos  —  darkness  ; 

phileo— to  love 22 

Scotophis:  skotos— darkness ;  ophis 

—a  snake 178 

SELACHOSTOMI:  selachos— a  shark 

(cartilage);  stoma— mouth,   .       343 
Semotilas:  senna— a  banner  (dor- 
sal fin),  teleis,  or  some  similar 
word,  supposed  by  Raftnesque  to 
mean    "spotted,"     .       .       .       S04 
Setophaga  :  sea— a  moth  ;  phago— 

to  eat 69 

Sialia:  stalls— plump,  .  .  49 
SILURIDJB  :  Silurus  :  silouros— 

some  river  fish,         .       .       .       326 
Siredon:  seiredon  —  a,  siren  (seira 

—entangling) 194 

Siren:  seiren— a  siren,        .       .       198 

SIUKNID^B 198 

Sitta:  sitte— a  nuthatch       .       .         52 

SITTID.E, 52 

Siurus:  sei— to  wag;  oura— tail,  66 
Somateria:  soma— body  ;  erion— 

wool 144 

Sorex:  L.,  a  shrew-mole,    .       26-352 

SORICID^B 25-352 

Soriciscus:  diminutive  of  Sorex,  352 
SPALACOPOmD^E  :  Spalacopus  ; 

spalax—  a  mole;    pous— foot,         33 
Spatula:  L..  a  spatula,        .       .       142 
Spatularia:  L.,  spatula,     .       .       344 
Spelerpes:  speos— a  cave;  herpes- 
reptile 193 

Speotyto  :  speos— a  cave  ;  tuto  —  a 

night  owl 109 

Spermophilus  :    sperma  —  seed  ; 

phllos— lover 28 

Sphyrapicus:  sphura— a  hammer: 

pikos— a  woodpecker,       .       .       104 
Spilogale:  spilos—a,  spot;  galee— a 
weasel  or  other  musteline  ani- 
mal  351 

Spizella:  dim.  of  spiza  —  a  spar- 
row,        86 

Squatarola:  a  vernacular  name,     121 
STEGANOPODES  :  steganos  —  web- 
bed; pous— foot,        .       .      «       146 


PAGE. 

Steganopus :    steganos  —  webbed ; 

pous— foot 123 

Stelgidopteryx:  stelgis— a  kind  of 

scraper;  pterux—  wing    .       .         72 
Stercorarius:  L.,  stercus  —  excre- 
ment  149 

Sterna:  L.,  sterno— to  spread  out,  152 
Stilbe:  stilbe— splendor,  .  .  301 
Stilbius:  same  as  Stilbe,  .  .  301 
Stizostethium  :  stizo  —  to  prick; 

stethion — breast,  .  .  .  230 
Storeria:  to  Dr.  David  H.  Storer,  176 
Strepsilas:  strepso— to  turn;  laas— 

stone 122 

STRIGID^E 106 

Strix  :   strigx  —  some  night  -  bird 

with  a  sharp  cry,  .  .  .  107 
Sturnella:  L.,  sturnus— a  starling,  92 
Surnia:  surnia— an  owl,  .  .  109 
Sylvicola:  L.,  sylvicola— living  in 

the  forest, 60 

SYLVICOLID^B 57 

SYLVIIDJE:  L.,  sylva— woodland,  49 
Symphemia :  sun — together; phemi 

—to  talk 128 

Synaptomys:  sunaptos—  connect- 
ing; mus  —  mouse  (joining  Ar- 
vicola  and  Myodes},         .       .         33 
Synechoglanis:  synecho  —  to  com- 
press; glanis— the  fish  Silurus,    328 
Syrnium:  surnion— an  owl,     .       108 
Tachycineta:  tachus— swift;  kineo 

—to  move, 71 

TALPID^E:  L.,  talpa— a  mole,  .  24 
Tamias:  tamias—st,  steward,  28-353 
TANAGRID^I:  Tanagra  (tanagra 

a  copper  kettle?),  ...  69 
TANTALID^;,  ....  133 
Tantalus:  a  mythological  name,  133 
Tauridea:  taura  —  a  cow;  eldos— 

appearance,  face,      .       .  255 

Taxidea:  Taxus— an  allied  genus; 

eidos— appearance,  ...  19 
T K i D^E :  Tejus— a  vernacular  name,  1 70 
TELEOCEPHALI:  teleos  —  perfect; 

kephale— head 215 

TELEOSTEI:  teleos— perfect;  osteon 

—bone 214 

Telipomis  :       teleis  —  full-grown 

( "spotted") ;  poma— opercle,         239 
Telmatodytes:     telmatodutes— liv- 
ing in  ponds,       ....         55 
Teretalus:  L..  teres— cylindrical,    312 
TESTUDINATA,     .      .      .      .      153 


INDEX. 


401 


TAGE. 

160 

Testudo:  L.,  a  turtle,  .  .  .  161 
Tetrao:  tetraon— a  grouse,  .  118 
TETRAONID^E:  .  .  .  .  118 
Thalarctos:  thalassa— the  sea  (?); 

arktos— bear 19 

Thalasseus:  thalassa— the  ocean,  151 
Thrynosternum:  thura  —  a  door: 

sternon— sternum,     .       .       .       166 
Thryomanes  :     thruon  —  a     rush; 

manes— a  cup  (nest  ( ?),  .       .         55 
Thryothorus:    thruon  —  a    rush; 

thereuo— to  seok,       ...         54 
Thyraallus:  L.,  a  grayling  (a  fish 
supposed    to    feed     on    water 

thyme) 274 

Tinnivnculus:  L.,  a  kestrel,  spar- 
row-hawk,         .       .       .       .       Ill 
Totanus:  Latin  name,        .       .       128 
Toxicophis:  toxikos  —  poison  (for 

smearing  arrows);  ophis— snake!84 
Trachemys:  trachus— rough ;  emus 

—turtle,  .       .       .       .       165 

Triglopsis:     trigla  —  a     gurnard; 

opsis— appearance,    .       .       .       256 
Tringa:  L.,  a  sandpiper,    .       .       127 
Tringoides;  L.,   tringa  —  a   sand- 
piper; aides— like,     ...       129 
Trigonocephalus:      treis  —  three  ; 

gonns— angle;  kephale— head,       184 
TRIONYCHID.E:   Trionyx;    treis— 

three;  onux— claw,    .       .       .       167 
TROCHILID^E:       ....      100 
Trochilus:  trochilos— a  small  "bird 
(wren)  said  to  pick  the  teeth  of 

crocodiles 100 

Troglodytes:  troglodutes— living  in 

caves 55 

TROGLODYTID^,  ...  53 
Tropidoclonium:  tropis  —  a  keel: 

clonion— a  small  twig,     .       .       176 
Tropidolepis:  tropis— a  keel;    lepis 

—scale, 169 

Tropidonotus  :     tropis  —  a  keel  ; 

v   notos— back 175 

Trutta:  L.,  a  trout,      ...       271 
Tryngites:   L.,    tringa  — a     sand- 
piper  129 

TTJRDID^E, 45 

Turdus:  L-,  a  thrush,  ...  47 
Typhlichthys  :  tuphlos  —  blind; 

ichthus— fish 269 

95 


PAGE. 

Tyrannus:  turannos— a  tyrant,  96 
Ulocentra:  oulos— complete  ;  ken- 

tron— aspine 223 

Umbla:  L.,  a  river  fish,  .  .  271 
Umbra:  L.,  a  small  dusky  fish  (a 

shade) 265 

UMBRID^E 264 

UNGTJLATA:  L.,  ungulatus  —  hav- 
ing hoofs,  20 

Uranidea:  ouranos— the  sky;  eido 

—to  see  (star-gazer),  .  .  252 
Urocyon:  oura— tail;  Tcuon— dog,  17 
URODELA:  oura  — tail;  delos— ob-  • 

vious 190 

URSID^B, 19 

Drsus:  L.,  a  bear,  ...  20 
VERTEBRATA  :  L.,  vertebrates,  9 
Fesperides:  L.,  vesper— evening,  23 
Fesperimus:  L.,  vesper —evening; 

mus— mouse,  ....  31 
Vespertilio:  L.,  respertilio— a  bat,  22 

VESPERTILIONID.fi,     ...  22 

Fesperugo:  L.,  vesper — evening,       23 
Vesperus:  L.,  vesperus— evening,      23 
Vireo:  L.,  vireo— a   green  finch  ; 
(uireo— to  grow  green),    .       .         76 

VIREONID^E 73 

Vireosylvia  :  Fireo-Sylvia,  .  75 
Virginia  :  Virginia,  name  of  the 

state  where  first  found,       .       182 
Vulpes:  L.,  a  fox,        .       .       .         17 
Wilsonia:  to  Alexander  "Vtilson, 
the  "  Father  of  American  Orni- 
thology,"       68 

Xanthorephalus  :    xanthos  —  yel- 
low ;  kephale— head.        .       .         92 
Xema:  a  coined  name,       .       .       151 
Xenisma:  xenisma— a  surprise,     263 
Xenotis:  xenos— singular,  remark- 
able; ous— ear 242 

Xerobates  :   xeros  —  dry  ;   bates  — 

walker 161 

Xystroplites:  xustron  —  a  scraper 
or  raker;  hoplites— armed  (from 
the  toothed  gill-rakers),  .  244 

ZAPODID^E 29 

Zapus:  za— strong;  pous— foot,  30 
Zensedura  :  zenaida  —  v,  zenaida- 

dove;  oura— tail,  .  .  .  ""le 
Zonotrichia:  zonos— zone  or  band; 

tric/iioTV— hair  (crown),   .       ,         86 
Zygonectes  :  zugos  —  yoke;  nektet 
swimmer, 263 


FURTHER   ADDEKDA. 


It  is  practically  impossible  to  keep  a  faunal  work  like 
the  present  fully  "  up  with  the  times."  Since  the  last 
proofs  were  read,  two  birds  new  to  our  region  have 
been  taken  in  Massachusetts,  and  four  new  species  of 
fishes  have  been  described  from  Illinois.  The  following 
additions  and  corrections  are  therefore  appended  : 

On  page  30,  2d  line  from  bottom,  after  incisors  insert 
usually:  the  genus  Fiber  is  an  exception. 

To  page  70,  after  Pyranga  (Estiva,  add  : 

3.  P.  ludoviciana,  (Wils.)  Bon.  "LOUISIANA  TANA- 
GEE."  Male  bright  yellow;  back,  wings  and  tail  black; 
head  scarlet;  two  yellow  wing-bars;  $  as  in  rubra, 
known  by  the  wing-bars.  Rocky  Mountains  to  the 
Pacific,  accidental  at  Lynn,  Mass.  (Hreicer.) 

To  page  88,  after  Passerella,  add  : 
18.  (b)  CALAMOSPIZA,  Bonaparte.     LARK  BUNTINGS. 

1.  C.  bicolor,  (Towns.)  Bon.  WHITE- WINGED  BLACK- 
BIRD. Black,  with  a  large  white  wing-patch,  and  white 
on  quills;  $  streaky,  like  the  female  Bobolink,  but 
known  by  the  whitish  wing-patch;  bill  stout;  inner  sec- 
ondaries as  long  as  the  primaries;  L.  6£;  W.  3-|;  T.  2J. 
Western  plains,  accidental  in  Massachusetts. 


404  ADDENDA. 

n  page  119.     Line  12,  for  black,  read  blacMsh. 

On  page  131.  Lines  21  and  22,  read  four  timcs^ 
instead  of  thrice  and  three  times. 

Page  154.  The  females  of  Colymbus  torquatus  and 
of  some  other  swimming  birds,  lack  the  head  markings 
described  in  the  text,  and  are  dull  or  streaky. 

Page  155.  The  occurrence  of  Podiceps  cristatus  in 
America  at  all,  is  lately  denied  by  Dr.  Brewer. 

To  page  219,  after  Pleurolepis  pellucidus,  add  : 

2.  P.  asprellus,  Jordan.    ROUGH  SAND  DARTER.   Form 
of  P .  pellucidus,  but  the  squamation  much  more  com- 
plete, and  the   scales  rougher;  sides,  back  and  breast 
with  imbricate  scales;  size  larger  and  colors  darker  than 
in  pellucidus;  fins  high;  D.  IX— 10;  A.  I.,  8,  lat.  1.  98. 
Sandy  streams  in  Illinois.     "  Has  in  life  all  the  colors 
of  the  rainbow."     (P.  pellucidus  has  normally  but  one 
anal  spine,  instead  of  two,  as  stated  in  the  text.) 

3.  P.  vitreus,  (Cope)  Jordan  and  Copeland.     GLASSY 
DARTER.     A  species  apparently  similar  to  the  last,  but 
with  smaller  fins,  and  much  larger  scales;    D.  VII — 14, 
A.  II,  9;  lat.  1.  56.     North  Carolina. 

On  page  227,  after  P.jessice,  add: 

4.  P.  asprigenis,  Forbes.     ROUGH-CHEEKED  DARTER. 
Short   and  stout ;   cheeks  and  opercles  entirely  scaly ; 
scales  large;  lateral  line  about  to  end  of  second  dorsal; 
spines    high  ;    coloration    apparently    as    in    variatus ; 
spinous  dorsal  dusky  behind;  D.  XII — 13;  A.  II,  8;  lat. 
1.  48.     Illinois  River. 

On  page  229,  after  B.  eos,  add: 

4.  B.  elegans,  Grd.  ELEGANT  DARTER.  Short, 
chubby  and  compressed  ;  depth  4£  in  length  ;  head  3f ; 


ADDENDA.  405 

lat.  1.  on  13  to  30  scales;  D.  X — 13,  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  42 
to  56.  Colors  greenish,  with  dark  specks,  no  blue  or 
red.  Georgia  to  Texas,  lately  taken  by  Prof.  Forbes  in 
Southern  Illinois. 

On  page  247.  Many  specimens  of  Elassoma  zonatum 
have  been  lately  obtained  by  Professor  Forbes  in  South- 
ern Illinois.  The  fish,  I  think,  unquestionably  forms  a 
separate  family,  the  relations  of  which  are  with  Aphodo- 
deridoe^  as  indicated  in  the  text.  Its  pharyngeals  are  as 
in  Aphododerus;  the  vertebrae  are  but  28  in  number; 
the  fin  rays  are  usually,  D.  IV,  10;  A.  Ill,  5.  No  speci- 
mens have  been  taken  more  than  an  inch  in  length. 

On  page  249.  The  position  of  the  vent  in  Aphodo- 
derus  isolepis  has  been  found  by  Prof.  Forbes  and  myself 
to  vary  with  age,  in  the  youngest  specimens  being  much 
behind  the  ventrals;  in  the  adults,  at  the  throat,  and 
intermediate  in  partly  grown  specimens. 

On  page  264.  Zygonectes  melanops  occurs  in  South- 
ern Illinois. 

On  page  280.  The  distinctive  character  of  var. 
heterura  is  not  well  stated  in  the  text.  The  back  is 
much  less  arched  than  in  var.  cepediana. 

On  page  290.  In  view  of  the  uncertainty  attached  to 
the  name  Hybopsis,  it  will  perhaps  be  better  to  use  the 
name  Alburnops  for  genus  6. 

On  page  296,  after  Lythrurus  ardens,  add  : 

4.  L.  atr/pes,  Jordan.  DUSKY  RED-FIN.  A  strongly 
compressed,  deep-bodied  species,  known  at  once  by  the 
coloration  of  the  fins,  the  dorsal  spot  being  faint,  and 
there  being  a  dusky  bar  across  the  upper  part  of  the 


406  ADDENDA. 

fin;  the  anal  is  similarly  colored  to  the  dorsal,  but 
fainter,  and  the  ventrals  are  dusky;  A.  I,  11.  Southern 
Illinois. 

On  page  284,  after  jj. LYTHRUKUS,  add : 

u.  Teeth  without  masticatory  surface,  their  edges  always 
serrate CYPBINBLLA,  8  (b). 

On  page  296,  before  Notropis,  add : 

8.  (b)  CYPRINELLA,  Girard. 

1.  C.  forbesi,  Jordan.  FORBES'  RED-FISH.  Body 
short,  very  deep,  much  compressed,  the  depth  3  in 
length;  color  in  life  chiefly  red,  a  violet  crescent  behind 
opercle;  fins  plain  red;  head  and  caudal  peduncle  pro- 
fusely tuberculate;  A.  I.  8;  lat.  1.  35;  teeth  4 — 4.  South- 
ern Illinois,  an  elegant  little  fish. 

On  page  296-7,  for  Notropis  dilectus,  2?.  rubellus,  and 
N.  dinemus,  substitute  Notropis  atherinoides^  Raf.  I 
now  think  it  impossible  to  distinguish  these  "species," 
and  I  adopt  for  them  the  oldest  specific  name  applied  to 
any  of  them. 

On  pages  309  and  311,  for  Lagochila,  Jordan  &  Bray- 
ton,  read  QUASSILABIA,  Jordan  &  Brayton.  The  name 
Lagochila  may  be  considered  pre- occupied  in  Con- 
chology.  The  species,  Q.  lacera,  has  lately  been  taken 
in  Ohio  by  J.  H.  Klippart. 

On  page  323,  omit  Ichthyobus  cyanellus,  I.  rauchii^ 
and  I.  ischyrus.  I  am  now  convinced  that  these  sup- 
posed species  are  merely  the  young  of  I.  lubalus. 

On  page  323,  for  Bubalichthys  niger^  read  J3.  urus, 
Agassiz. 


ADDENDA  407 

On  page  324,  strike  out  IB.  altus,  the  species  having 
been  based  on  old  individuals  of  the  next. 

On  page  325,  for  IB.  bubalinitS)  substitute  IB.  cyanel- 
lus  (Nels.)  Jor.  There  seems  to  be  but  two  valid  spe- 
cies of  Bubalichthys,  at  present  known. 

On  page  332,  Amiurus  marmoratus  occurs  in  South- 
ern Illinois. 

On  page  223,  et.  seg.  Generic  names  ending  in  the 
Greek  neuter  roots  "soma,"  "sfoma,"  "wma,"  etc., 
have  been  in  this  work  considered  as  Latin  feminine 
nouns,  and  the  adjective  has  been  made  to  agree  with 
them  accordingly,  as  "IBoleosoma  maculata"  "Etheos- 
tortia  flcibellaris"  This  was  done  in  deference  to  cer- 
tain recent  authorities  in  classical  matters,  who  regard 
such  latinized  words  ending  in  a  as  feminine.  It  is 
probably  better,  however,  to  follow  the  common  custom, 
and  to  consider  them  as  neuter,  until  some  other  rule  is 
definitely  adopted. 


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